The principal objective of my research program is to elucidate the mechanisms of regulation and modulation of nitric oxide (NO) production and cytotoxicity in macrophages, vascular cells, and tumor cells. This laboratory employs a wide variety of techniques and procedures to answer important and timely questions pertaining to the biochemistry, molecular biology, and pathophysiology of NO. Enzyme protein purification and characterization, extensive cell culture systems, physiologic methods for assessment of organ and tissue functions, various molecular biology techniques (Northerns, Westerns, Southerns, gel shift assays, and related procedures), and various analytical techniques (HPLC, chemiluminescence, spectroscopy) are techniques routinely employed. We make the effort to develop any technique that is required to answer important research questions.