Leading department researchers investigate tone in small blood vessels and its pharmacological modulation using advanced techniques to assess factors like chemical substances, innervation, and pressure on resistance arteries. This tone is affected in vascular diseases such as hypertension and stroke, with a focus on drug action and vascular structure. Cellular smooth muscle function and ion channel regulation are explored. The department also includes the Totman Center for Cerebrovascular Research, where human artery physiology and risk factor impacts are studied in collaboration with clinical faculty.

UVM has established a new Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE)—the Vermont Center for Cardiovascular and Brain Health—funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Co-led by Mark T. Nelson, Ph.D., and Mary Cushman, M.D., M.Sc., the center will unite junior and senior researchers to investigate the causes and treatments for cardiovascular and neurovascular diseases, the top causes of death in the U.S.

Researchers are collaborating with European teams on a mechanistic study of small vessel diseases (SVDs) to identify intervention targets. This international effort, SVDs@Target, aims to prevent and treat stroke and dementia and is funded by the European Union. 

Understanding cell function at the level of intracellular signaling is also a focus of the department. Researchers use biochemistry, molecular biology and cell imaging to understand the mechanisms underlying essential functions within cells. Specific interests include regulation of gene transcription through protein translocation, mechanisms of kinase function and substrate specificity, and membrane receptor interactions between different cell types. 

Researchers in the department also study the biochemical pharmacology, toxicology, and medicinal chemistry of experimental and established anticancer and antiviral drugs. Classes of drugs investigated include complex quinones, platinum complexes, anthracyclines, and heterocyclic analogues of normal metabolites. A strong interaction exists with scientists in the Department of Chemistry who synthesize new anticancer drugs.