Endothelial mechanobiology, inflammation, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, hemodynamics

Dr. Passerini studies the origins of atherosclerosis, the inflammation of arteries that underlies cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death and disability. The Passerini Lab applies artery-on-a-chip microfluidic tools to study the signaling mechanisms by which mechanical cues imparted by blood flow converge with other factors driven by diet and metabolism to sensitize the arteries to pathological change. The lab’s studies provide insight into the links between unhealthy diets, lipid metabolism and endothelial inflammatory responses that mark among the earliest changes in atherosclerosis. Their ultimate goals are to better predict cardiovascular risk and to reduce the burden of human disease.

Accepting students per funding availability.