Research Labs
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Charles J. Lowenstein , M.D.
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Bradford C. Berk, M.D., Ph.D.
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Mark B. Taubman, M.D.
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Jun-ichi Abe, M.D., Ph.D.
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Keigi Fujiwara, Ph.D.
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Zheng-Gen Jin, Ph.D.
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Slava Korshunov , Ph.D.
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Coeli Lopes, Ph.D.
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Joseph Miano, Ph.D.
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Craig Morrell, DVM, Ph.D.
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Eric Small, Ph.D.
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Jane Sottile, Ph.D.
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R. James White, M.D., Ph.D.
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Haodong Xu, M.D., Ph.D.
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Chen Yan, Ph.D.
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Dr. Lowenstein's research is focused on vascular biology. One team of researchers explores mechanisms of exocytosis, through which endothelial cells release pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic mediators. A second group of scientists study how platelets communicate with endothelial cells. A third area of research involves an exploration of the role of microRNA in endothelial cells. A fourth team investigates how nitric oxide affects vascular inflammation. 
Dr. Berk's laboratory is focused on defining the mechanisms by which cells in the vascular wall respond to hemodynamic and hormonal stimuli. 
Dr. Taubman's laboratory is focused on the role of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in regulating inflammation and thrombosis in the arterial wall. There are three major areas of investigation.
In the last four years, I have been interested in the mechanism of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, especially in the role of oxidative stress, hypoxia, and hyperglycemia.
Dr. Fujiwara's major research is on mechanosignaling by vascular endotehlial cells. Mechanical forces such as fluid flow and stretch trigger unique responses in endothelial cells, indicating that they are capable of sensing mechanical forces. 
Dr. Jin’s research has been focused on molecular regulation of vascular endothelial function. Vascular endothelial cells in blood vessels produce a number of vasodilator and vasoconstrictor substances that not only physiologically regulate vasomotor tone and vascular homeostasis, but also mediate the recruitment and activity of inflammatory cells and the propensity towards atherosclerotic lesion
Dr. Korshunov's major focus is the understanding of mechanisms that regulate the structure of blood vessels (a process we call “vascular remodeling”) could prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in humans.
The major focus of Dr. Lopes current work involves the regulation of the slow delayed rectifier-like current (IKs) in the heart and the pathogenesis of the Long QT (LQT1) syndrome. 
My lab utilizes state-of-the-art methods in molecular biology, genetics, genomics, and computational biology to acquire in-depth knowledge on the transcriptional regulation of gene expression and the functional role of regulatory proteins in Alzheimer’s disease and vascular occlusive disease.
Platelets have two major functions: hemostastis/thrombosis and an immune regulatory function. My laboratory uses in vitro techniques and in vivo mouse models to study both important platelet functions.
Research in the Small Lab is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that control how a cell responds to its surroundings during development or following tissue injury. 
Remodelling of extracellular matrices occurs during development, wound healing, and in a variety of pathological processes including atherosclerosis, ischemic injury, and angiogenesis. Perturbing matrix remodelling events by preventing the turnover of extracellular matrix molecules, or by increasing the levels of matrix degrading proteases or inhibitors has been shown to result in fibrosis, arthritis, reduced angiogenesis, and developmental abnormalities.
The overall goal of my laboratory is to understand the pathobiology which causes vascular remodeling in severe human pulmonary hypertension. Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) occurs in idiopathic form and is also observed in diseases as diverse as chronic venous thromboembolism, scleroderma, HIV infection, and cirrhosis.
Arrhythmias remain a major health problem, causing at least 250,000 deaths annually in the United States. Dr. Xu's long term goal is to elucidate molecular signaling pathways involving the development of cardiac arrhythmias so that therapeutic targets for treatment and/or prevention can be identified. 
Regulation and function of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in the cardiovascular system. Second messenger cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) regulate many signaling pathways in the cardiovascular system.
