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Vascular Biology

Chronic inflammation and the associated oxidative stress promote cellular and molecular changes in vascular tissue and modulate the interactions between the immune and vascular systems leading to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The Vascular Biology Laboratory investigates the role of dietary components, in particular, antioxidants, lipids, phytonutrients and oxidative stress as well as other factors regarding age-associated changes in vascular function. Studies examine the molecular mechanisms of polyphenols of fruits, vegetables and grains and prooxidants in modulating the interaction of immune and inflammatory cells with the vascular system in the development of atherosclerosis and tumor angiogenesis.  Nutrient modification of vascular function in relation to atherosclerosis, cancer and obesity is explored using cell-cell interactions, biochemical indices, and molecular markers at cellular and whole organism levels.