Michael A. Gimbrone, Jr.
Harvard University
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Primary Section: 42, Medical Physiology and Metabolism Membership Type:
Member
(elected 1997)
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Research Interests
As a vascular biologist and experimental pathologist, I have focused my research efforts on understanding the role of the endothelium, the single-cell-thick lining of the cardiovascular system, in health and disease. In particular, my laboratory has identified inducible endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecules, such as E-selectin (ELAM-1) and VCAM-1, which appear to be involved in inflammatory disease processes and atherosclerosis. In addition, we are exploring, at a basic level, the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which biomechanical forces generated by the flow of blood act to regulate the expression of genes in the vascular endothelial cell. The medically related goals of these investigations are to enhance our understanding of the basic mechanisms of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and thrombosis, and develop better diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative strategies for their complications such as heart attack and stroke.
