The Vickers Lab
Investigating the functional roles of lipoproteins, nanoparticles, and extracellular small RNAs (sRNA) in chronic inflammation and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
About Us
The Vickers Lab investigates the functional roles of lipoproteins, nanoparticles, and extracellular small RNAs (sRNA) in chronic inflammation and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We study novel carriers of extracellular sRNA, their receptors, intracellular storage depots of sRNA, and the functional impact of post-transcriptional sRNA modifications to these processes.
Our laboratory utilizes fast-protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) and gradient ultracentrifugation for isolation of lipoproteins, nanoparticles, and ribonucleoproteins. We employ novel sRNA sequencing approaches to identify and quantify host and microbial non-host sRNAs on extracellular carriers in plasma and other biofluids.
Our Goal
Many projects in the laboratory use LC- tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approaches to quantify RNA modifications and untargeted lipids (lipidomics). Analyses of these large datasets are supported by advanced bioinformatics.
Our research has opened an entirely new field of study for lipoprotein biology and has advanced the paradigms of cell-to-cell communication, host-microbe interactions, and atherosclerosis-associated inflammation.
The primary goal of our research is to gain sufficient knowledge of the functional roles of lipoproteins, nanoparticles, and extracellular sRNAs to be able to identify new drug targets to treat chronic inflammation and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.