Dr. Dudley's laboratory was awarded recently funding by the National Institutes of Health for the application titled "Stem cell therapy and arrhythmias." This funding will provide research support for four years beginning in April, 2004.

Dr. Dudley received funding from Pfizer Corporation to initiate a clinical trial based on observations from the basic science laboratory about oxidative stress and atrial fibrillation. The trial will test the ability of atorvastatin to prevent atrial fibrillation.

The laboratory is starting a new project to assess the mechanisms whereby air pollutants cause sudden death.

The laboratory has just started a collaboration with Dr. Robert Nerem of GTEC to test tissue engineered patches versus cell therapy for myocardial injury.