Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy, Research Award Winner, Presents at Boston Conference

Ranjith Ramasamy, M.D., assistant professor of urology and director of male reproductive medicine and surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, gave a presentation at the recent American Urological Association (AUA) annual meeting in Boston.

Ranjith Ramasamy, M.D., speaking at American Urological Association conference in Boston.

Ramasamy, who specializes in the treatment of disorders of male infertility and sexual dysfunction, discussed the research he is conducting under a two-year grant as a recipient of an AUA Research Scholar Award. The award program funds mentored training for outstanding young investigators to encourage urologic research and foster their career success.

Ramasamy’s award, made possible by the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, funds research on the role of Leydig stem cell autograft in increasing testosterone in mouse models with Klinefelter syndrome. He is being mentored by Joshua M. Hare, M.D., the Louis Lemberg Professor of Medicine and director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, with additional mentoring by Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Urology and director of robotic surgery at the Miller School.

Klinefelter Syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality in men. Characterized by an extra X chromosome, men with Klinefelter syndrome have testicular failure leading to infertility and low testosterone. Low testosterone can lead to adverse effects, such as decreased bone density, delayed puberty, gynecomastia and poor sexual function. The current standard of care for men with Klinefelter syndrome and low testosterone is lifelong testosterone therapy. Testosterone therapy, however, can lead to impaired fertility and assisted reproduction outcomes in men with Klinefelter syndrome.

Ramasamy’s research project involves a novel treatment modality — Leydig stem cell autograft for treatment of low testosterone. The stem cells can increase testosterone without affecting fertility outcomes. He also will identify the mechanism for low testosterone so novel therapeutic targets for increasing testosterone can be identified.

Ramasamy hopes that the Research Scholar Award will lay the groundwork for a successful career as a surgeon-scientist. His long-term goal is to pursue a career in academic medicine with a focus on translational research in male reproduction.

Tags: American Urological Association, Dipen Parekh, Joshua Hare, Klinefelter Syndrome, Leydig stem cell autograft, Miller School of Medicine, Ranjith Ramasamy, Research Scholar Award, University of Miami, urology