Carmen Halabi, MD, PhD

Description of Research:

Our research focuses on understanding the role of extracellular matrix proteins in cardiovascular development and disease.  Elastic fibers constitute the majority of large arteries’ extracellular matrix and allow these arteries to store energy during systole and release it during diastole.  We utilize mouse models carrying disease-causing mutations in elastic fiber-associated genes to gain insight into vascular development and to understand the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases such as aneurysms, arterial stiffness and hypertension.