Dr. Vikram's laboratory aims to understand the role of microRNAs in the gut-heart axis. Currently they are focusing on the role of the microbiota-miR interaction in heart failure. His laboratory identified that the cardiac upregulation of microRNA-204 during hypertrophic stress is a compensatory cardioprotective response. Its effects are mediated by inhibiting the maladaptive stretch signaling of the apelin-receptor. They provided the first evidence that the apelin receptor cellular trafficking per se and its regulation by miR-204, leading to a change in the signaling outcome of APJ. 

The focus is always on utilizing the interdisciplinary expertise to tackle the real challenges in cardiovascular diseases.