Welcome to the Redmond Vascular Biology Lab

Cardiovascular disease

Atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of arterial blood vessels, is the most common form of cardiovascular disease and a leading cause of death and disability worldwide for both women and men. In the United States heart attacks and stroke caused by atherosclerosis result in approximately 800,000 deaths annually (1 of every 3 deaths) with an associated economic cost of ~$350 billion. This despite current treatments that include preventative medical therapies and lifestyle changes, in addition to revascularization and stenting of obstructed arteries to reduce ischemia and improve quality of life. Our lab uses state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo techniques to gain insight into the vascular cell populations (endothelial, smooth muscle, resident stem cells), signaling mechanisms, and molecular processes mediating atherosclerotic plaque development and progression.

Alcohol and cardiovascular disease

Alcohol consumption is a modifiable behaviour of considerable interest in relation to cardiovascular health. Drinking may have either positive or negative effects, depending on the amount consumed and the pattern of consumption. Population studies reveal that chronic alcohol abuse and binge drinking are associated with increased cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality. In contrast, low to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduced atherosclerosis-related myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. How alcohol impacts the various cell types present in arteries to ultimately dictate vessel disease development and progression is not fully understood. Elucidating the cell and molecular mechanisms mediating the effects of alcohol on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, particularly the protective effects of low level consumption, is a major focus of our lab. Our goal is to increase basic science understanding of how alcohol impacts vessel health and enable the design of innovative targeted therapies for cardiovascular disease.

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