Genetic alterations in ACTA2 cause a variety of problems, including aortic aneurysms, aortic dissections, early onset coronary artery disease due to atherosclerosis and moyamoya disease-like problems with the arteries in the brain. Through research, Dr. Milewicz and her research team have identified why certain variants in ACTA2 cause early onset coronary artery disease, while other variants cause problems with the arteries in the brain. She discusses the molecular changes with these different variants and how this information can be used to identify drugs that prevent the vascular diseases.