University of Virginia-Main Campus · PhysiologyThe Vascular Dynamics Lab
Brant E Isakson · Charlottesville, Virginia
Research Focus
Dr. Brant Isakson's lab at the University of Virginia focuses on understanding the mechanisms that regulate blood pressure and vascular health, particularly through the actions of specific proteins in the kidneys and blood vessels. Their research investigates how renin, a key hormone in blood pressure regulation, is released and how inflammation affects the barrier function of blood vessels, especially during conditions like sepsis. By exploring the interactions between different proteins, the lab aims to find potential therapeutic targets for hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
reninhypertensionvascular healthsepsisPIEZO1pannexininflammationvascular permeabilityendothelial cellskidney
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate how PIEZO1 and Panx1 channels regulate renin release from kidney juxtaglomerular cells.
AIM 02Examine the impact of inflammation on venous endothelial permeability.
AIM 03Identify kinase signaling pathways that regulate the function of Panx1 in response to inflammatory stimuli.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturemouse modelscalcium imagingprotein purificationgenetic engineeringWestern blotimmunofluorescenceRNA extractionexperimental designdata analysis
Output against the department
Publications326top 14% of dept.39th of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations13ktop 23% of dept.67th of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.