Pillay Lab

The Pillay Lab uses zebrafish as a model to understand molecular mechanisms that regulate blood vessel development and integrity. Endothelial cells form the innermost layer of all blood vessels and serve as a physical barrier to regulate transport between the blood and the tissues. Brain endothelial cell barrier disruption produces a spectrum of disease that includes neurologic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, disability, or death. The Pillay Lab is currently investigating roles of the small monomeric GTPase RHOA and its protein targets in regulating endothelial cell biology and vascular disease states.