PASSERINI LAB

The primary focus of our research is on atherosclerosis, a disease of the blood vessels that leads to heart attack and stroke. We are interested in why the disease shows up predictably in certain areas of the blood vessels and not others--a phenomenon that correlates closely with the local fluid mechanics of the blood. We study the response of vascular endothelial cells to different flow characteristics to determine what might predispose the cells to disease in one case, or resistance in another. We also seek to understand how risk factors for the disease such as “bad fats” or aging affect the disease process. There is still much to be learned with respect to the mechanisms by which the endothelium integrates these diverse physiological cues to impact health and disease. Our laboratory uses cell culture models and state-of-the-art genomics technologies to help elucidate these mechanisms. A better understanding of these mechanisms would help guide the development of novel strategies to prevent, diagnose and treat disease.