The overall goals of research in my laboratory are to understand the molecular mechanisms through which VEGF and other growth factors and their receptors regulate the function of endothelial cells, angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), and the adult cardiovascular system; and, where possible, to translate these findings into new therapeutic approaches to human disease. Major focuses of our research are identification of novel signalling mechanisms and gene regulation events important for mediating biological functions of VEGF, and the role of the VEGF co-receptor Neuropilin. We are addressing these problems using a diverse palette of techniques in cell, molecular and in vivo biology, including the functional analysis of mutant receptors, overexpression and knockdown of functional signalling molecules, mammalian models of cardiovascular disease, the generation of novel genetically altered mice (knock-in/knock-out), and Zebra fish.