My research focuses on the physiological control of angiogenesis, the growth of blood vessels.
Angiogenesis is initiated by a number of agonists, including nitric oxide.
Diabetic individuals have an impaired ability to make nitric oxide and, as a result, are unable to revascularize wounds efficiently. We are studying the metabolic pathways that support nitric oxide production and how deficiencies in nitric oxide production may be linked to endothelial dysfunction seen in diabetes and other diseases. The growth of solid tumors depends upon angiogenesis. Angiogenesis also plays a relevant role in the biologic aggressiveness of breast cancer. Several studies have shown a worse prognosis for those patients exhibiting tumors with high angiogenic activity.