Dr. Jaffer's laboratory developing molecular imaging technology and solutions to understand the biology of atherosclerosis and thrombosis in vivo. A primary focus of the laboratory is the development of MRI, optical (fluorescence), and integrated nuclear–computed tomography (SPECT/CT, PET/CT) approaches to illuminate important molecular and cellular aspects of vascular disease, including protease activity, cellular inflammation, and transglutaminase activity. The laboratory works closely with the Center for Molecular Imaging Research, a world-renowned center for small animal imaging and the synthesis of novel nanomaterials. In addition to investigating in vivo biology in genetically- or pharmacologically-altered mouse models of cardiovascular disease, his group is developing promising imaging agents for large animal translation using noninvasive MRI as well as novel catheter-based and noninvasive near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) technology. Successful imaging agents will be investigated in phase I/II clinical trials to evaluate their utility for diagnostic imaging and to provide surrogate endpoints for assessing novel pharmaceuticals.