Dr. Michael Toborek's laboratory involve studies on the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and how different pathological conditions can lead to the disruption and/or dysfunction of the BBB. Several projects are focused on HIV-1 trafficking into the brain. Another area of interest of Dr. Toborek's laboratory is connected to the effects of drugs of abuse on the brain endothelium. Molecular mechanisms of cerebrovascular toxicity induced by methamphetamine alone and in combination with HIV are studied both in in vitro and in vivo experimental setting.