Dr. Bernstein's lab's research program focuses on regulation of cardiovascular function in both normal physiologic states as well as in disease states such as cardiomyopathy. Current studies are focused on elucidating the role of alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors in regulating cardiovascular function and in mediating cardioprotection and cardiotoxicity. Utilizing murine gene targeting techniques, their lab was among the first to stu G protein coupled receptor signaling in the intact animal.  They developed and verified many of the now-standard techniques of physiologic assessment of transgenic models of cardiovascular disease, and demonstrated the value of chronic instrumentation as well as exercise studies to monitor murine cardiovascular function.