Membrane Biology
One or more forms of cardiovascular disease have been estimated to affect the lives of 79.4 million Americans (2004 data from the National Institutes of Health), making this the number one health problem in the U.S.
Dalton investigators vigorously study a number of cardiovascular diseases and the underlying mechanisms that cause them. A unique strength of Dalton scientists is their expertise in understanding the smallest blood vessels in the body — collectively known as the microcirculation. These small vessels play key roles in maintaining health function of the cardiovascular system and are involved in the development of cardiovascular disease. This group targets diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease.
Research interests of the group include the response of blood vessels to mechanical forces caused by changing blood pressure and blood flow, the regulation of vascular wall permeability, the involvement of the cell membrane in signals that regulate blood vessel function, the communication between vascular cells to regulate tissue blood flow, and the assembly of new blood vessels and disassembly of existing blood vessels. The overall goals of this group are to identify mechanisms of disease and identify potential diagnostic targets and therapeutic strategies. Investigators use a variety of experimental models at the cellular, isolated vessel, intact tissue and whole animal scales.
