Hemodynamic Regulation of Vascular Cell Function and Thrombosis Prevention
(DePaola, Hall, Turitto)
Thrombosis is a major complication associated with islet transplantation even in successful cases of the procedure. It has recently been reported that isolated islets produce tissue factor that triggers an adverse clotting event that is the instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction seen in clinical islet transplantation. A critical issue in the development 
of this treatment modality for diabetes is the need to integrate the bioartificial pancreas with the recipient’s vasculature.
Research is also conducted on hemodynamic regulation of vascular cell function in early atherosclerosis, gap junctional intercellular communication, and biophysical regulation of mammalian cell function with applications to vascular and bone tissue engineering.