The central goal of the Vickers lab is to discover gene regulatory modules that can be manipulated to prevent and treat cardiometabolic diseases. Specifically, our lab investigates small RNA-mediated gene regulation in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Many projects in the lab aim to determine the biochemical mechanisms underlying small RNA intercellular communication. Due to the applicability of small RNA cell-to-cell communication, we are defining the biological impact in multiple diseases, including dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and autoimmunity.