Thomas E. Sharp, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology

Faculty, USF Health, Heart Institute

Contact Info 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
MDC 2525
Tampa FL 33612

Academic Email: tesharp@usf.edu

Academic Phone:813.396.9503

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Education

Biography

The Sharp laboratory is focused on the develop and translational application of novel therapeutic strategies to combat cardiovascular diseases. Specifically, utilizing clinical biobanked specimens, in vivo small and large animal models to recapitulate clinical pathophysiology in order to gain insight into novel mechanism which drive disease. With this knowledge, my laboratory then investigates innovative and novel therapeutic strategies to alter the development, manifestation and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Areas of interest include ischemia-reperfusion injury, cardioprotection, cardiac remodeling and the restoration or preservation of cardiovascular function in the setting of heart failure with an emphasis on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. My laboratory is also interested in factors which mediate changes in the gut-host cross-talk leading to changes in the host metabolism and its’ effects on physiological signaling. The primary goal of my laboratory is to investigate and assess novel targets and therapeutic strategies and their translational application towards altering cardiovascular disease states. It is my hope that this research will lead to novel and clinically meaningful interventions for patients who suffer with cardiovascular disease and ultimately impact human health.

Interdisciplinary and Emerging Signature Programs

• Cardiovascular
• Cardiovascular Sciences
• Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Metabolic Regulation and Disorders
• Other

Research Interests

• The Sharp laboratory is focused on the develop and translational application of novel therapeutic strategies to combat cardiovascular (CV) and cardio metabolic (CM) diseases. Specifically, utilizing clinical bio-banked specimens, in vivo small and large animal models to recapitulate clinical pathophysiology, in order to gain insight into mechanisms which drive disease. The Sharp lab then studies novel therapeutic strategies to alter the development, manifestation and progression of CVD/CMD. Areas of interest include I/R injury, cardio-protection, cardiac remodeling and the restoration/preservation of CV function in the setting of heart failure with an emphasis on HFpEF. The laboratory is also interested in the gut-host interaction leading to changes in the host metabolism related to CV pathophysiology. It is our hope that this research will lead to novel and clinically meaningful interventions for patients who suffer with CV and/or CM disease(s) ultimately impacting human health.

Memberships

• Member (American Heart Association (AHA), 2023 - Present)
• Member (International Society of Heart Research (ISHR), 2023 - Present)
• Member (Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), 2023 - Present)
• Member (American Physiological Society (APS), 2023 - Present)

Recent Publications

• Li Z, Xia H, Sharp III TE, LaPenna KB, Elrod JW, Calvert JW, Salloumn FN, Chau VQ, Noriyuki N, Goodchild TT, Lefer DJ. Mitochondrial H2S Regulates BCAA Catabolism in Heart Failure. Circulation Research. , 2022.
• Sharp TE, Lefer DJ. Renal Denervation to Treat Heart Failure. Annual Review of Physiology. , 2021.
• Sharp TE, Scarborough AL, Li Z, Polhemus DJ, Hidalgo HA, Schumacher JD, Matsuura TR, Jenkins JS, Kelly DP, Goodchild TT, Lefer DJ. Novel Gottingen miniswine model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction integrating multiple comorbidities. JACC: Basic to Translational Science. , 2021.
• Organ CL, Li Z, Sharp TE, Polhemus DJ, Gupta N, Goodchild TT, Tang WHW, Hazen SL, Lefer DJ. Nonlethal inhibition of gut microbial trimethylamine n-oxide production improves cardiac function and remodeling in a murine model of heart failure. Journal of the American Heart Association. , 2020.
• Sharp TE, Polhemus DJ, Li Z, Spaletra P, Jenkins JS, Reilly JP, White CJ, Kapusta DR, Lefer DJ, Goodchild TT. Renal denervation prevents heart failure progression via inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. , 2018.
• Sharp TE, Schena GJ, Hobby AR, Starosta T, Berretta RM, Wallner M, Borghetti G, Gross P, Yu D, Johnson J, Feldsott E, Trappanese DM, Toib A, Rabinowitz JE, George JC, Kubo H, Mohsin S, Houser SR. Cortical bone stem cell therapy preserves cardiac structure and function after myocardial infarction. Circulation Research. , 2017.

Awards/Honors

• Postdoctoral Fellowship (American Heart Association - 2018)
• Mary P. Wiedeman Award in Physiology (Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine - 2017)
• Predoctoral Fellowship (American Heart Association - 2014)