The goal of our laboratory is to understand the genetic mechanisms that lead to increased susceptibility to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The interactions among hundreds of genes and gene networks along with environmental factors such as diet affect our health status. We use systems genetics to uncover this complexity. We employ a range of experimental and computational methods to quantitate and integrate intermediate phenotypes, such as transcript, protein or metabolite levels in human and mouse populations. We also test our predictions using standard biochemistry and molecular biology approaches in cell cultures and animal models. Our results provide insights into both the molecular underpinnings of complex traits and the understanding of common, complex diseases.