In four lectures, Richard P. Lifton, M.D., Ph.D., and Christine E. Seidman, M.D., discuss their groundbreaking work in using genetic and molecular approaches to understand cardiovascular diseases.

Dr. Lifton is an HHMI investigator, director of the Program in Genetics in Medicine, and professor of medicine, genetics, and molecular biophysics and biochemistry at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Seidman is an HHMI investigator, director of the Cardiovascular Genetics Service at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a professor at Harvard Medical School.

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View the on-demand webcast of the lecture series.

Teacher's Guide (PDF)

The Visible Heart Animation

Hold a human heart in your (virtual) hands. Visit HHMI's visible heart animation and observe how blood flows through the chambers of this amazing organ.

Vital Signs: Understanding Cardiovascular Diseases

Early in this century, doctors had few tools to help them diagnose or treat diseases, and they had limited understanding of cardiovascular illness. Heart surgery was nearly inconceivable. Today, mortality due to heart disease is declining, open-heart surgery is commonplace, and people have the information they need to make changes in their lives that alleviate or even prevent cardiovascular illness.

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Vascular Disease and Regeneration

Cardiovascular diseases are the primary cause of death among both men and women in the United States. A loss of blood vessel elasticity and the resulting blocked arteries are common contributors to heart attacks. For those fortunate enough to survive a heart attack, the subsequent scarring of heart tissue often leads to additional complications. But what if the heart could heal without scarring? Watch this informal talk by Dr. Mark Keating. an HHMI investigator at Children's Hospital, Boston.