University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · BiologyAtherosclerosis Research Initiative
Joan M Taylor · Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Research Focus
Dr. Joan M Taylor's lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind atherosclerosis, which is a serious cardiovascular disease. The research investigates how smooth muscle cells contribute to plaque formation and stability in blood vessels, as well as the relationships between hypertension and vascular stiffness. By studying specific genetic factors and their effects, the lab aims to develop new treatments to combat hypertension and atherosclerosis, ultimately reducing their impact on public health.
atherosclerosissmooth muscle cellshypertensionvascular stiffnessatheroprotective mechanismsgenetic factorscardiovascular diseaseplaque stabilitytherapeutics
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the role of smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaque formation.
AIM 02Assess the impact of GRAF3 genotype on cardiovascular outcomes.
AIM 03Identify GRAF-activating compounds to treat hypertension and atherosclerosis.
AIM 04Evaluate the relationship between hypertension, vascular stiffness, and atherosclerosis.
AIM 05Develop novel therapeutic strategies based on genetic findings.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturemouse modelsgene expression profilingmicroscopymolecular analysisfluorescence resonance energy transferbiochemical assaysdata modelingsignal transduction techniques
Output against the department
Publications133bottom 47% of dept.540th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations8.3ktop 46% of dept.475th of 1,033
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.