Dr. Alliegro's research program is directed at understanding mechanisms of cell differentiation in development and disease. Both vertebrate and invertebrate systems are used to identify novel morphoregulatory molecules and study their structure and interaction with other cellular components.

The primary subject of interest is the nuclear protein pigpen, that regulates differentiation state in mammalian endothelial cells. Endothelial cells form the lining of all blood vessels. They are essential building blocks for normal blood vessel development in embryos, and also in pathological neovascular processes such as tumor growth and metastasis. Dr. Alliegro and members of his laboratory are working to understand precisely how pigpen influences gene expression and cell fate.