Multi-Scale Mechano-OMIC Interactions to Uncover Molecular Transducers for Vascular Protection

During cardiovascular development, peristaltic contraction of the embryonic heart tube produces time-varying hemodynamic forces and pressure gradients across the atrioventricular canal. However, the relative importance of myocardial contraction and hemodynamic force to modulate cardiovascular morphogenesis in the non-Newtonian flow regime remain poorly understood. By using our custom-built 4-D light-sheet fluorescent microscope and post-imaging machine-learning algorithms, we recapitulate flow-mediated molecular transducers underlying the vascular injury and regeneration in the zebrafish vascular injury model. We further elucidate exercise training-mediated transcriptomic interaction underlying activation of endothelial SCD1 to catalyze anti-inflammatory metabolites. In this context, we integrate multi-scale mechano-transcriptomic interaction from zebrafish to mouse models and demonstrate flow-responsive molecular transducers as therapeutic targets for cardiovascular development, repair, and protection.

Dr. Hsiai is the Professor of Medicine and Bioengineering. He received his undergraduate education from Columbia University and his medical training from the University of Chicago. He completed his internship, residency and NIH-funded cardiovascular fellowship at UCLA School of Engineering and Medicine, where his research focuses on converging advanced imaging, sensing, and machine leaning to mitigate cardiometabolic disorders. His team science led to the LA PRISMS Center connecting UCLA Bioinformatics and Microbiome Research with USC’s Environmental Health Sciences Center. His team science has also established a history of converging engineering with medicine through NIH-funded projects with partner institutions, leading to UCLA/Caltech T32 programs (iTEAM and iCMB) for training the next generation of bioengineers, and American Heart Association Network Center to integrate community engagement, mHealth, and data science to enhance clinical trial diversity and cardiometabolic health.

His collaboration across the US, Europe and Asia has further led to co-chairing the Gordon Research Conferences on Biomechanics, Vascular Biology and Disease in 2023 and 2025. In collaboration with NHLBI Deputy Director, his team has organized workshops on “Effective Collaboration & Diversity in Scientific Teams” for the next generation of leaders in academia and entrepreneurship. Dr. Hsiai was elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation, Member of National Institutes of Health Bioengineering, Biotechnology, and Surgical Science Study Section, College Fellow of American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), Fellow of Biomedical Engineering Society, Association of University Cardiologists, Association of American Physicians, and the recipient of an American Heart Association John J. Simpson Outstanding Research Achievement Award, USC School of Engineering Junior Faculty Research Award, UCLA SEAS Distinguished Young Alumnus Award, and UCLA Chancellor’s Award for Academic Boarder Crossing.