Research Bursary Program
Supervisor Project Proposal for Summer 2015
Supervisor Last Name:
Supervisor First Name:
McGill Dept/School: Division of Internal Medicine / Department of Medicine
Faculty Professor (Full, Associate or Assistant): Associate (Tenured)
Email: stella.daskalopoulou@mcgill.ca
Phone No. (optional): 514-934-1934 ext 42295
Research Field: Cardiovascular/Vascular disease
Proposal No. (1 or 2): 1
Research Location (McGill or affiliated institution): MUHC (new Glen and MGH)
Ethics approval will be required for proposed project (Yes/No): Yes (already obtained)
Proposed project will involve chart reviews (Yes/No): Yes
Project Title (maximum 1 line):
Identification of the Unstable Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque: from Bench to Clinical Practice
Hypothesis/Question to be Addressed (maximum 4 lines): Unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques are at risk to
rupture and may cause life-threatening events (e.g. stroke). Newly developed quantitative assessment of
ultrasonic images more objectively characterizes carotid plaques than previously used visual classifications. We
aim to validate this highly sophisticated technique by correlating digital image analysis features with the ‘gold
standard’ of histological characteristics of plaque instability.
Specific Aims (maximum 10 lines):
The specific objectives of the study are: 1) to determine objective digital image analysis features of plaque
instability and correlate them with histological features of plaque instability; 2) to identify determinants (clinical,
psychosocial, behavioral/lifestyle), markers (biochemical), and modifiers (including cardioprotective treatment) of
plaque instability; 3) to identify novel pathways of plaque instability and study their associations with analysis of
ultrasonic images. To do this, we will recruit eligible subjects scheduled to undergo carotid endarterectomy. A
pre-operative 3D ultrasound will be performed to obtain images for digital image analysis. Blood samples will also
be collected to measure vascular biomarkers. Surgically excised plaques will immediately be fixed and sectioned.
Sections will be stained for histological and immunohistochemical analyses to assess the features of the plaque,
which will be graded on a semi-quantitative scale. Molecular biology techniques, such as qRT-PCR and Western
Blots, will evaluate the role of various pathways in plaque instability.
Role of Student (maximum 15 lines):
The successful candidate will have a key role in this project; he/she will be taught valuable literature search
techniques and guided to perform a literature review to become familiar with the appropriate background. With
this knowledge, the successful candidate will be ready to 1) develop his/her own hypotheses, and 2)
propose/discuss protocol adjustments as required in order to study pathways involved in carotid plaque
instability. In addition to learning several important molecular biology techniques, the student will be involved in
the subject contact and recruitment process and data entry. Dr. Daskalopoulou will also guide the student in
performing the proper statistical analyses for his/her data. Using these techniques, the student's project will aim
to correlate pathways of plaque stability/instability with image analysis features of carotid plaques. Upon
completion, the student will present the data to lab members and at scientific meetings/conferences and will be
involved in manuscript preparation. In order for the student to truly gain from this experience, he/she will also
actively participate in weekly meetings with Dr. Daskalopoulou and other lab members to discuss his/her
hypotheses, progress, and any troubles encountered with the project. Ethics approval has already been granted
for this project. The recruitment has been proven and will be ongoing. Thus, the completion of the student's
project in a short period of time is feasible. It should also be noted that the subjects will be followed through time
providing an opportunity for the student to continue working with this project if he/she so desires.