Dr. Werstuck is an Associate Professor at McMaster University in the Department of Medicine. His research interests involve delineating the molecular mechanisms by which diabetes mellitus promotes the progression and development of cardiovascular disease. His laboratory employs a broad range of molecular and cellular techniques to examine cell and tissue-specific responses to hyperglycemia. The specific goals of Dr. Werstuck's research are to;a) identify changes in gene expression induced by elevated glucose levels in cultured cell types relevant to atherosclerosis b) determine the mechanisms of accelerated atherosclerosis in hyperglycemic/diabetic mouse modelsc) verify the relevance of mechanisms and pathways identified in vitro and in vivo through the examination of blood samples collected from diabetic patients.His laboratory is especially interested in using the above techniques and strategies to identify and test potential new targets for therapeutic intervention in the treatment and prevention of atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease.