Members
Brant Isakson
Brant Isakson is an Associate Professor in Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics and Resident Faculty member of the Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center. His area of research has focused on the microvasculature, and how cells in the blood vessel wall communicate in both health and disease. Recent work performed in collaboration with Dr. Tony Wang demonstrated that ZIKA virus can infect human endothelium, especially endothelial cells derived from umbilical cord (Circ Res, 2016). Our current work is focused on the mechanism and degree of endothelial cell ZIKA infection, using blood transfusions as a model system. We will be determining the extent of endothelial cell infection after blood cell infusion with ZIKA in multiple blood and mouse models. These findings may be translatable to other bloodborne pathogens of global relevance. Isakson Lab Website
Brant Isakson is an Associate Professor in Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics and Resident Faculty member of the Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center. His area of research has focused on the microvasculature, and how cells in the blood vessel wall communicate in both health and disease. Recent work performed in collaboration with Dr. Tony Wang demonstrated that ZIKA virus can infect human endothelium, especially endothelial cells derived from umbilical cord (Circ Res, 2016). Our current work is focused on the mechanism and degree of endothelial cell ZIKA infection, using blood transfusions as a model system. We will be determining the extent of endothelial cell infection after blood cell infusion with ZIKA in multiple blood and mouse models. These findings may be translatable to other bloodborne pathogens of global relevance. Isakson Lab Website