Smith Lab

The Smith Lab studies how Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites cause brain blood vessel damage in cerebral malaria. We use molecular tools and 3D bioengineered brain microvessels to uncover parasite-host interactions and develop new treatments to protect the blood-brain barrier.

Explore Our Research

Understanding Molecular Interactions

We have learned that Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells bind to endothelial protein C receptor on brain endothelial cells, triggering dysregulated thrombin signaling, breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, and brain swelling.

Modeling disease using bioengineered 3D microvessel models

We are leveraging new 3D human brain microvessel models to gain molecular insights into how pathogen and host inflammatory mediators activate brain endothelial cells and promote endothelial cell dysfunction.

Repairing endothelial barrier integrity

We are studying drug repurposing of FDA-approved kinase inhibitors to counteract inflammatory damage to blood vessels. We are screening kinase inhibitors using an instrument that can measure changes in endothelial barrier integrity in real time.

Investigating new treatments for blood-brain barrier dysfunction

We are studying drug-repurposing of clinically approved kinase inhibitors to dampen inflammation and stabilize blood vessels following inflammatory damage.

Lab News

Partnership Opportunities

Malaria – Molecular Mechanisms

Using in vitro models and clinical cohorts to understand vascular aspects of disease and investigate interventions to restore vascular function – Joe Smith