Kimara Leibowitz Targoff, MD

Specialties:
Pediatric Cardiology

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Treats Children

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Overview
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Credentials & Experience
Research

Overview

Kimara L. Targoff, MD, is interested in the identification and characterization of genes that are essential for key developmental processes in cardiac morphogenesis. She works clinically as a Pediatric Cardiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Simultaneously, Dr. Targoff studies the genetic mechanisms regulating heart development in zebrafish. Her laboratory's research is focused on the role of nkx genes, cardiac-specific homeodomain transcription factors, in establishing and maintaining cardiomyocyte identity.

Areas of Expertise / Conditions Treated

Research Studies

Academic Appointments

Associate Professor of Pediatrics at CUMC

Hospital Affiliations

NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Gender

Female

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Phone Appointments

New and Existing Patients: (212) 305-4622

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Location(s)

CUIMC/NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
3959 Broadway
Room 255
New York, NY 10032

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Phone: (212) 305-4622



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Credentials & Experience

Education & Training

Internship: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center
Residency: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center
Fellowship: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center

Board Certifications

Pediatric Cardiology

Honors & Awards

2014 Colin Molloy Research Award, Colin’s Kids Organization
2014 First Babies Heart Fund Research Award, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Columbia University
2005 The Welton M. Gersony Research Award, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Columbia University
2005 Best Basic Research Abstract Award,Pediatric Research Symposium, Columbia University
2004 American Heart Association Women in Cardiology Travel Grant

Research

Dr. Targoff’s research interests focus on understanding cardiac morphogenesis: a carefully orchestrated process representing the first organogenesis milestone in developing vertebrate embryos. Establishment of specific molecular and cellular characteristics of the two major cardiac chambers, the ventricle and the atrium, is crucial to formation of a functional heart. Despite the importance of maintaining unique features in chamber-specific cardiomyocytes, the regulatory mechanisms guiding these processes are yet to be uncovered. The strong association of NKX2-5 with human congenital heart disease in both chambers and our studies revealing the differential effects of nkx genes on ventricular and atrial cell number in zebrafish prompted our interest in the role of Nkx genes in chamber identity. By exploiting the experimental benefits of the zebrafish model, the Targoff Lab has shown that ventricular cardiomyocytes transdifferentiate into atrial cardiomyocytes in the absence of nkx gene function, highlighting the malleable nature of differentiated myocardium. These newly revealed functions of Nkx genes in preserving chamber-specific traits have the potential to elucidate the molecular, cellular, and electrophysiological phenotypes in models of Nkx2-5 deficiency.

Research Interests

Cardiac Genetics
Cardiac Stem Cell Biology
Cardiovascular Development
Cardiovascular Regeneration

Selected Publications

Harrington, J.K., Sorabella, R., Tercek, A., Isler, J.R., Targoff, K.L. Nkx2.5 is Essential to Establish Normal Heart Rate Variability in the Zebrafish Embryo. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comparative Physiology, June 14th, 2017. (PMID: 28615160)
Pradhan, A., Zeng, X.X., Sidhwani, P., Marques, S. George, V., Targoff, K.L., Chi, N., Yelon, D. FGF signaling enforces cardiac chamber identity in the developing ventricle. Development, April 1st, 2017; 144(7): 1328-1338. (PMID: 28232600)
Ikl??, J.M., Tavares, A.L., King, M., Ding, H., Colombo, S., Firulli, B.A., Firulli, A.B., Targoff K.L., Yelon, D., Clouthier, D.E. Nkx2.5 regulates endothelin converting enzyme-1 during pharyngeal arch patterning. Genesis, Jan. 20th, 2017. (PMID: 28109039)
Nagelberg, D., Wang, J., Su, R., Torres-V??zquez, J., Targoff, K.L., Poss, K.D., Knaut, H. Origin, Specification, and Plasticity of the Great Vessels of the Heart. Current Biology, 25(16): 2099-110, 2015. (PMID: 26255850)
George, V., Colombo, S., Targoff, K.L.* An early requirement for nkx2.5 ensures the first and second heart field ventricular identity and cardiac function into adulthood. Developmental Biology, 400(1): 10-22, 2015. (PMID: 25536398)
Wei, L., Shen, Y., Xu, F., Hu, F., Harrington, J.K., Targoff, K.L., Min, W. Imaging Complex Protein Metabolism in Live Organisms by Stimulated Raman Scattering Microscopy with Isotope Labeling. ACS Chemical Biology, 10(3): 901-8, 2015. (PMID: 25560305)
Targoff, K.L., Colombo, S., George, V., Schell, T., Kim, S.-H., Solnica-Krezel, L., Yelon, D. Nkx genes are essential for maintenance of ventricular identity. Development, 140(20): 4203-13, 2013. (PMID: 24026123)
Bigelow, A.W., Ponnaiya, B., Targoff, K.L., Brenner, D. UV microspot irradiator at Columbia University. Radiation and Environmental Biophysics, 52(3): 411-7, 2013. (PMID: 23708525)
Targoff, K.L., Schell, T., Yelon, D. Nkx genes regulate heart tube extension in zebrafish and exert differential effects on ventricular and atrial cell number. Developmental Biology 322(2): 314-321, 2008. (PMID: 18718462)
Chen, J.M., Mosca, R.S., Altmann, K., Printz, B.F., Targoff, K., Mazzeo, P.A., Quaegebeur, J.M. Early and medium-term results for repair of Ebstein anomaly. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 127(4): 990-8, 2004. (PMID: 15052195)
Mazure, C.M., Leibowitz, K.J., Bowers, Jr., M.B. Drug-responsive mania in a man with a brain tumor. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 11(1): 114-5, Winter 1999. (PMID: 9990567)
Tempel, D., Leibowitz, K.J., Leibowitz, S.F. Effects of PVN galanin on macronutrient selection. Peptides 9(2): 309-14, 1988. (PMID: 2453854)


For a complete list of publications, please visit PubMed.gov