My research focuses on investigating how dietary and genetic components may influence the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Included within that focus is the accelerated atherosclerosis associated with both type I and type II diabetes. Using a variety of inbred strains of mice and dietary manipulations, we investigate oxidation biology and its potential role in atherosclerosis, inflammation and its contribution to both diabetes and atherosclerosis, and dietary regulation of specific genes which may promote or protect against atherosclerosis. In particular, we are interested in the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 and its role in promoting atherosclerosis as well as its potential regulation by specific dietary components, such as iron.
