Hasan Lab

Techniques and Animal Models

The Hasan Lab employs a range of state-of-the-art techniques to investigate cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and metabolic diseases. To study signaling pathways, we use biochemical, molecular and cellular approaches such as Western blotting, ELISA, ROS/NO assays, flow cytometry, RNA interference (RNAi), RNA sequencing, CRISPER tools for gene deletion, qPCR, reporter assays, and immunocytochemistry/immunohistochemistry. Biophysical and biochemical techniques, including surface plasmon resonance and radioligand binding are used to assess ligand-receptor interaction. Mass spectrometry and proteomics allow us to understand drug actions at molecular level. We also incorporate gut microbiome analysis and behavioral testing to explore how gut microbiome and their metabolites impact vascular function to influence brain health and cognition. At the systems level, we study vascular function using pressure myography and employ a range of animal models to mimic human disease. These include transgenic models such as Dahl salt-sensitive rats, Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR), and Stroke-Prone SHR, as well as induced models of cardiometabolic disease including DOCA-salt–induced hypertension, angiotensin II–infusion models of hypertension and aneurysm, high-fat diet–induced type 2 diabetes, and gut microbiota metabolite–induced cardiovascular disease models. This integrative toolkit provides a powerful platform to connect molecular mechanisms with whole-animal physiology and disease outcomes.  

Major laboratory equipment and resources