Description of CVI Expertise

CVI Program Unit(s):
Biotechnology / Nanomedicine / Imaging
Thrombosis / Hemostasis

CVI Research Description:
The primary focus of Dr. Weisel's research is the molecular and cellular mechanisms of blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and atherosclerosis, as analyzed through the use of various biochemical and biophysical techniques, including visualization of molecules and supramolecular aggregates and measurements of mechanical properties of cellular and extracellular structures. Structural studies designed to elucidate the intermolecular interactions in all steps of fibrin clot formation and fibrinolysis arebeing carried out. A novel technique using optical trapping has been developed to study protein protein binding/unbinding at the single molecule level. In addition, fibrin polymerization is being studied in real time by confocal and deconvolution microscopy. The determination of relationships between clot structure and mechanical properties is an important part of this work, including investigations into the molecular origins of clot mechanical properties.

Atomic force microscopy is used to characterize the forced unfolding of individual molecules and its role in clot mechanics. The binding of integrins to fibrinogen is also a focus of research, especially in terms of the interactions that are responsible for platelet aggregation. The results of these studies have implications for basic mechanisms of protein-protein and protein-cell interactions as well as for clinical aspects of hemostasis, thrombosis and atherosclerosis.