Bio

​B.S. in Biochemistry from Louisiana State University in 1982​​Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Louisiana State University in 1987Post-Doc ​Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX/NIH/Dept. of Cell Biology from 1987-91
Image of a computer simulation of a heart

"Our research has impact in: 1) uncovering disease mechanisms, 2) evaluating novel therapies, and 3) developing new imaging methods for diagnostics."

Brent A. French, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Brent A. French combines advanced methods of targeted drug and gene delivery with biomedical imaging in vivo to explore novel targets and treatment strategies in cardiovascular disease and cancer.  Research interests of the Molecular Bioengineering Lab focus on developing new, more effective strategies for treating and preventing human disease. In parallel, we develop novel diagnostic imaging methods to better understand the progression/regression of disease and the impact of novel therapies on specific disease targets. A highly-collaborative, interdisciplinary approach is used to integrate recent technical advances in multiple fields with our highly translational research. In particular, cutting-edge imaging techniques such as MRI, PET and ultrasound are used to expedite research by providing accurate measures of novel therapies against cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Research Interests

  • Targeted Drug and Gene Delivery
  • Biomedical Imaging
  • Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials
  • Cardiovascular Disease

In the News

Selected Publications

  • Implications of scar structure and mechanics for post-infarction cardiac repair and regeneration. Exp Cell Res. 376(1):98-103, 2019 French BA, Holmes JW
  • The myocardial infarct-exacerbating effect of cell-free DNA is mediated by the high-mobility group box 1-receptor for advanced glycation end products-Toll-like receptor 9 pathway. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 157(6):2256-2269, 2019 Tian Y, Charles EJ, Yan Z, Wu D, French BA, Kron IL, Yang Z
  • Development of target-specific liposomes for delivering small molecule drugs after reperfused myocardial infarction. J Control Release. 28(220 Pt A):556-67, 2015. Dasa SS, Suzuki R, Gutknecht M, Brinton LT, Tian Y, Michaelsson E, Lindfors L, Klibanov AL, French BA, Kelly KA.
  • Adeno-associated virus serotype 9 administered systemically after reperfusion preferentially targets cardiomyocytes in the infarct border zone with pharmacodynamics suitable for the attenuation of left ventricular remodeling. J Gene Med. 2012 Konkalmatt PR, Wang F, Piras BA, Xu Y, O'Connor DM, Beyers RJ, Epstein FH, Annex BH, Hossack JA, French BA
  • Robust cardiomyocyte-specific gene expression following systemic injection of AAV: In vivo gene delivery follows a Poisson distribution. Gene Therapy 18(1):43-52, 2011. Prasad K.M.R., Xu Y., Yang Z., Acton S.T., French B.A.

Courses Taught

  • BME 3080 - Biomedical Engineering IDEAS Laboratory
  • BME 4806 - Biomedical Applications of Genetic Engineering
  • BME 7806 - Biomedical Applications of Genetic Engineering

Featured Grants & Projects

  • Optical imaging in the Development of Molecularly Targeted AAV for Cardiac Regeneration

    Source: NIH, NHLBI; R01 HL147193 (PI = BA French)

    Period: 04/01/19 – 03/31/23. Amount: $1,615,000 (Total direct & indirect over entire period)

  • Bioengineering of Cardiac Regeneration In Situ after Myocardial Infarction

    Source: CHRB #207-10-19 (PI = BA French, Co-I = JJ Saucerman & MD Wolf)

    Period: 07/01/19 – 06/30/22. Amount: $266,000 (Total direct & indirect over entire period)

  • Multiparametric MRI for the Investigation of Coronary Microvascular Disease

    Source: NIH, NHLBI; R01 HL147104 (PI = FH Epstein, Co-I = BA French & MD Wolf)

    Period: 04/01/22 – 03/31/26. Amount: $2,997,885 (Total direct & indirect over entire period)