Nicola Pozzi, PharmD, PhD

Saint Louis University (SLU)

Thrombosis and Hemostasis; Structure-Function studies; Vascular Protein Disulfide Isomerases; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Protein Engineering.

Hemostasis is a necessary yet delicate process that causes bleeding to stop. Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) – an autoimmune disorder characterized by antiphospholipid antibodies – is the most common acquired thrombophilia. It can manifest as venous and arterial thrombosis, leading to pulmonary embolisms, myocardial infarction, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and organ failure.

We study the molecular mechanisms underlying thrombus formation in the setting of APS, with the ultimate goal of developing novel diagnostics and therapeutics for these patients. Using a combination of structural, biophysical, and biochemical methods, we study how plasma proteins, clotting factors, and disease modifiers involved in APS are recognized by antiphospholipid antibodies, how they sense the surrounding microenvironment, how they interact with plasma membranes and cell receptors, and, if they are enzymes, how their catalytic machinery works.