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The Cardiovascular Research Institute embraces an inclusive, integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to research in cardiovascular science. The Institute includes scientists from a variety of disciplines including: molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, molecular genetics, psychology, cell biology, medicine, biostatistics and epidemiology. Research programs in the Institute include:

Basic Science Programs:

• The analysis of gene expression profiles in vascular cells using DNA microarray technology to elucidate gene regulatory networks determining vascular cell biology.
• The regulation of vascular cell fate and vessel structure by Notch signaling pathways.
• The physiologic genomics of salt-sensitive hypertension.
• The role of ID protein proteins as modulators of vascular cell gene transcription as critical determinants of vascular cell fate and vessel structure.
• The molecular basis of vascular remodeling and the relative roles of cell proliferation versus apoptosis.
• The role of nuclear receptors such as PPAR-g and PPAR-d as determinants of vascular function/structure.
• The molecular basis of obesity-related vascular disease.
• The molecular basis of diabetic vasculopathy.
• The role of vasoactive factors as determinants of vascular physiology and cell biology
• The molecular basis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• The mechanisms governing the intrinsic capacity of the heart to resist ischemic injury.
• The vascular biology of stroke susceptibility in the context of obesity and hypertension.

Clinical Science Programs:

• The development of innovative clinical approaches and discovery of novel biomarkers to identify high risk patients and more effectively treat their cardiovascular disease.
• The discovery of novel ethnic-specific DNA polymorphisms that may promote the genetic susceptibility to diabetes and hypertension.
• The characterization of vascular physiology in humans at risk for cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke.
• The role of genetic factors as determinants of vascular function and structure in patients at risk for cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke.
• The enhancement of clinical interventions designed to prevent stroke and myocardial infarction in high-risk ethnic populations.

Population Science Programs:

• The role of psychosocial stress and racism as a determinant of cardiovascular outcomes in ethnic populations.
• The influence of social factors as determinants of ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease.
• The characterization of geographic and ethnic differences in cardiovascular disease/stroke risk factors in urban versus rural settings.
• To define the utility of vascular physiologic assays and novel biomarkers to identify high-risk subjects predisposed to myocardial infarction and stroke in community-based settings.
• The genetic epidemiology of cardiovascular disease and stroke in ethnic populations.
• The development of novel, culturally-sensitive intervention strategies to reduce the overall risk of cardiovascular disease in ethnic communities.
• The implementation of strategies designed to enhance the capacity of individuals within ethnic communities to achieve higher standards of cardiovascular health