The Isakson Lab

The Isakson Lab at the University of Virginia’s Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center (CVRC) studies how cells in the microcirculation communicate to maintain health, and how disrupted signaling drives disease. Led by Brant E Isakson, PhD, Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, we integrate a plethora of molecular, cellular, tissue, and whole-animal approaches in our experimental repertoire.

What we focus on

• Cell-to-cell signaling in the microcirculation controlling vascular tone, inflammation, and metabolism.
• Lymphatic function in adipose tissue and heart failure.
• How inflammatory cells interact with the vascular wall to drive injury.
• Roles of iron and extracellular ATP in the circulation and kidney.

Our goal is to translate basic discoveries into new strategies for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cardiometabolic disorders—from genetic models to IRB-approved human studies.