The main focus of our work is directed to the pathophysiology and therapy of sepsis. In particular, we look at the steps involved in the progression of sepsis and how they lead to organ damage and, many times, death. Our group studies bacterial sepsis that occurs from exposure to Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus or anthrax and the sequence of overlapping disease conditions involved, any one of which can be lethal. We are also testing new therapies targeting the contact phase pathways that initiate blood clotting and the complement activation mechanisms and immune responses associated with these pathways. Both lines of investigation aim to provide in-depth knowledge on potentially new drugs that will prevent organ damage and death in septic patients. Another research project is directed toward the identification of biomarkers that can predict the stage and the outcome of sepsis and can help the physician apply the most appropriate treatment. By learning more about the way sepsis infection develops and spreads, we hope to find ways to diagnose the condition earlier and develop more effective ways to treat it.

Another line of research focuses on what triggers the normal blood clotting system. We study a protein on the surface of vascular cells that is responsible for telling the blood to clot. This protein, known as tissue factor, is strictly regulated by a natural inhibitor called tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI). We also discovered a novel protein called ADTRP that could play a role in the modulation of TFPI function. By looking at the ways that TFPI is regulated in the vessels, we hope to identify new proteins involved in the process and increase our understanding of blood clotting.