Our laboratory is focused on the role of platelets in processes that are not limited to thrombosis and hemostasis. Humans produce billions of platelets every day, and as studies expand outside of the traditional role for platelets, we are finding that platelets are responsible for far more than limiting blood loss. Currently, we are working on an exciting project that involves a cell cycle regulatory protein called polo-like kinase 3 (Plk3) and its effects on inflammation. We found that mice deficient in Plk3 survive LPS injection, cecal ligation and puncture, and cecal slurry injection; 3 models of systemic inflammation. We have very interesting preliminary data that suggests platelets may be the driving force behind systemic inflammation.