William Durante, PhD

My laboratory has a long standing interest in studying the synthesis and function of endogenously derived signaling gases such as nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia. I'm especially interested in understanding how abnormalities in the production of these gases in the circulation leads to vascular dysfunction and hypertension in metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes. Given that these signaling gases are largely derived from amino acids, I am also investigating the transport and metabolism of amino acids by vascular cells, and determining whether disturbances in the uptake of amino acids contributes to the development of vascular disease.