Our lab's research focuses on the genetics of bleeding and thrombotic disorders and mechanisms of platelet activation. Our laboratory has made discoveries on the genetics of von Willebrand disease, signaling pathways that contribute to the procoagulant response in platelets, novel roles for platelet mitochondria and the genetic variation of platelet receptors. More recently our research focuses on Megakaryopoiesis and its role on bone marrow homeostasis. Our laboratory has found disease causing genes for thrombocytopenia disorders as well as a cancer predisposition syndrome. Specifically, that mutations in NBEAL2 cause the elusive Gray Platelet Syndrome and that mutations in ETV6 cause thrombocytopenia and predisposition to leukemia. These discoveries have set the stage for potential new therapies. Current research projects in the DiPaola lab include: von Willebrand disease, platelet biology and function, study of hemostasis under flow, genetics/genomics of blood disorders, thrombo-inflammation, megakaryopoiesis, Acquired von Willebrand syndrome Techniques utilized in the DiPaola lab: clinical diagnostic assays, in vitro blood cell characterization, microfluidic flow studies, intravital microscopy, in silico and in vitro functional assays, animal models of thrombosis and hemostasis, transcriptional analysis technique