Grant: Operating Grant

Tissue and organ blood flow is controlled by a network of blood vessels found throughout the body, including in the heart and the brain. To make sure that blood vessels work in a joint fashion, single cells within the vessel wall must share information with one another. This sharing of information between cells is aided by proteins called gap junctions. These gap junctions are small pores which act like gates that permit ions and other small molecular to move back and forth between cells. The overall goal of my research program is to develop an understanding of cell to cell communication and how this process shapes the ability of an artery to dilate and constrict. We employ a wide range of techniques that include: 1) functional and structural measurements on intact arteries; 2) biochemistry; and 3) computer based modeling. At a basic level, this work will increase our knowledge of how a complex network of arteries accurately controls tissue blood flow and organ function. From the applied point of view, it will help create an understanding of harmful disorders such as endothelial cell dysfunction, arterial vasospasm and cardiac syndrome X. This research project will help us understand how disease states like hypertension and diabetes change vessel size.