How Ochsner's 2013-2014 Research Is Revolutionizing Medicine
Imagine a world where we could predict and prevent strokes by examining microscopic molecules in our arteries, where diabetic kidney failure could be reversed through engineered cells, and where cancer recurrence could be stopped by targeting its very roots. This isn't science fiction—it's the reality being created right now by researchers at Ochsner Health System. The 2013-2014 academic year marked a period of remarkable scientific achievement at Ochsner, where physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and scientists joined forces to tackle some of medicine's most persistent challenges 1 .
At Ochsner, research isn't about abstract scientific concepts—it's about transforming patient lives through innovation. The research enterprise has focused on applying novel insights and technologies to enhance the understanding of the causes of and potential therapies for patient diseases 1 .
This work takes place at three distinct but interconnected frontiers: translational research (bridging laboratory discoveries to clinical applications), clinical research (testing new approaches in patient care), and health services research (optimizing how healthcare is delivered) 1 . This article will take you behind the scenes of these groundbreaking investigations, with a special focus on one vascular surgery study that could change how we prevent strokes forever.
Ochsner's research strategy operates like a well-coordinated medical campaign, attacking disease from multiple angles simultaneously. Each pillar serves a distinct purpose but collaborates with the others to create a comprehensive approach to medical progress.
| Research Type | Focus | Example Projects |
|---|---|---|
| Translational Research | Bridges laboratory discoveries with clinical applications | Carotid plaque vulnerability studies, diabetic kidney regeneration 1 |
| Clinical Research | Tests new treatments and approaches in patient care | Obesity paradox in heart disease, electrocardiogram predictors of arrhythmia 1 |
| Health Services Research | Optimizes healthcare delivery systems | Stroke care networks using telemedicine, septic shock and childbirth care optimization 1 |
What makes Ochsner's approach particularly innovative is how these domains interact. Laboratory discoveries rapidly inform clinical practice, while observations from patient care generate new questions for scientific investigation. This creates a virtuous cycle of innovation that accelerates the pace of medical progress 1 .
One of the most compelling research stories from 2013-2014 comes from Ochsner's vascular surgery team, who tackled a critical question: why do some arterial plaques remain stable while others suddenly rupture, causing devastating strokes? 1 When plaques in the carotid arteries (the major blood vessels in the neck) become vulnerable and rupture, they can form clots that travel to the brain, cutting off vital blood flow. Understanding the biology of these plaques is therefore of great importance in designing therapies to stabilize them and thereby prevent stroke 1 .
The Ochsner team made a fascinating discovery—the answer might lie in the intricate dance of tiny RNA molecules within our arteries. Specifically, they investigated how microRNA (miRNA) molecules regulate the enzymes and processes that produce plaque vulnerability 1 . Even more intriguingly, they found that small circular RNAs can regulate miRNAs of interest, revealing a previously unknown layer of biological control that contributes to stroke risk 7 .
The team obtained carotid plaque samples from 46 patients undergoing surgery—27 who required urgent carotid endarterectomy for acute neurological symptoms and 19 asymptomatic patients undergoing preventive procedures 7 .
Using advanced laboratory techniques including real-time PCR assays (a method to amplify and measure specific DNA sequences), the researchers quantified the levels of circRNA-16 and miR-221 in all plaque samples 7 .
The team confirmed the presence and stability of circRNA-16 in human vascular smooth muscle cells using PCR and demonstrated its resistance to RNase H (an enzyme that typically breaks down RNA) 7 .
Using the ΔΔCt method for calculating relative gene expression and one-way ANOVA with Tukey's test for determining significance, the team compared molecular differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques 7 .
The findings from this meticulous experiment were striking. The researchers discovered that circRNA-16 was significantly increased in the plaques of symptomatic patients (1.51 ±0.26) compared to asymptomatic patients (1.00 ±0.10), with a statistically significant P-value of 0.03 7 . Simultaneously, miR-221 was decreased in the symptomatic plaques. This inverse relationship suggested the existence of a critical biological pathway—a circRNA-16/miR-221 axis—that appears to play an important role in fibrous cap degradation and plaque rupture during the transition from stable to unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaque 7 .
| Molecule | Role | Change in Symptomatic Plaques | Biological Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| circRNA-16 | Regulates miRNA activity through binding sites | Increased by 51% | Promotes plaque vulnerability |
| miR-221 | Controls vascular smooth muscle cell behavior | Decreased | Reduces plaque stability |
These findings take the field a long way toward understanding—and eventually intervening in—the process of plaque rupture 1 . The clinical implications are profound: this discovery could lead to future blood tests that measure these RNA levels to assess stroke risk, and potentially novel therapies that stabilize plaques by targeting this specific molecular pathway.
Behind every groundbreaking medical discovery lies an array of sophisticated tools and materials. These research reagents form the foundation of the experiments that push the boundaries of medical knowledge.
| Research Tool | Function in Research | Application in Ochsner Studies |
|---|---|---|
| microRNA (miRNA) Analysis | Identifies small regulatory RNA molecules | Studying plaque vulnerability in carotid arteries 1 7 |
| Real-time PCR Assays | Amplifies and measures specific DNA/RNA sequences | Quantifying gene expression levels in plaque samples 7 |
| Progenitor Cell Engineering | Creates specialized cells for tissue repair | Replacing damaged kidney cells in diabetes 1 |
| Cancer Stem Cell Isolation | Identifies and studies the root cells of cancers | Understanding cancer recurrence after therapy 1 |
| Extracellular Vesicle Studies | Investigates tiny membrane particles that facilitate cell communication | Examining how colon cancer spreads through lymph node interactions 7 |
| Electrocardiogram Analysis | Measures heart's electrical activity | Predicting arrhythmia and death in high-risk patients 1 |
This diverse toolkit reflects the multidisciplinary nature of modern medical research, where molecular biology, cellular engineering, and clinical observation converge to create comprehensive solutions to complex health problems.
The carotid plaque study represents just one shining example of Ochsner's broader research impact during the 2013-2014 period. Across the institution, scientists were making remarkable progress in diverse fields:
Ochsner nephrologists were pioneering approaches to use properly engineered tissue progenitor cells to replace damaged kidney cells. The success of these ideas in preliminary animal studies is exciting and suggests that in time, novel cell-based therapies for diabetic renal disease will be forthcoming 1 . This could potentially eliminate the need for dialysis in millions of patients worldwide.
Ochsner clinicians and scientists continued to make progress in understanding the nature of cancer stem cells that lead to the recurrence of various cancers after therapy 1 . By targeting these resilient "root" cells rather than just the bulk tumor, researchers hope to develop more durable treatments that prevent cancer from returning.
Ochsner researchers made the fascinating discovery of the "obesity paradox"—the counterintuitive finding that in certain patient groups, somewhat higher weight is associated with a better prognosis than in leaner patients 1 . This concept has become topical and is undergoing considerable refinement to better understand its implications for clinical care.
| Research Area | Key Finding | Clinical Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis | Identification of cells that stimulate harmful antibody production | Potential new therapeutic options for autoimmune diseases 1 |
| Nerve Repair | Development of means to repair nerve injuries | Potential restoration of function after nerve damage 1 |
| Hepatitis C | Investigation of ways to optimize therapy | Improved treatment protocols for viral hepatitis 1 |
| Medication Adherence | Studies of factors influencing patient adherence to medications | Enhanced treatment outcomes for chronic diseases 2 |
These diverse research programs share a common theme: the seamless integration of basic scientific discovery with direct clinical application. This bed-to-bench and back-again approach ensures that laboratory insights rapidly inform patient care while clinical observations generate new research questions.
The 2013-2014 research year at Ochsner exemplifies how modern medical progress occurs—not through isolated breakthroughs, but through a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort that spans the entire spectrum of scientific inquiry. From the microscopic world of circular RNAs in plaque cells to the system-level optimization of stroke care networks, Ochsner researchers are building a comprehensive foundation for the future of medicine.
What makes this research enterprise particularly compelling is its patient-centered focus. Every investigation, whether conducted at the laboratory bench or the hospital bedside, is ultimately guided by the goal of improving human health and alleviating suffering. The administrative enhancements implemented during this period—including a physician-led systemwide research council, seed grant funding opportunities, and improved approval processes—are designed to facilitate research innovation throughout the organization 1 .
As we look to the future, the discoveries emerging from Ochsner and other leading institutions offer genuine hope for solving some of medicine's most persistent challenges. The molecular pathways being mapped today will become the therapeutic targets of tomorrow. The cellular mechanisms being elucidated will form the basis for regenerative approaches that can repair damaged tissues and organs. And the health delivery systems being optimized will ensure that these advances reach every patient who needs them.