Platelets are small blood cells that circulate in the bloodstream and play a crucial role in the rapid formation of blood clots during vessel injury and inflammation. Dysregulation of platelet function can lead to thrombotic blockages, which are associated with inflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis and thrombosis. This can compromise the body's defense against viral and bacterial infections. My research focuses on the subcellular level to uncover the fundamental mechanisms by which platelets sense and react to environmental cues, as well as how these mechanisms coordinate platelet function using the delicately designed migration assay established in the Gaertner group.