Smooth muscle is a type of muscle tissue found in the walls of hollow organs such as the intestines, bladder, and blood vessels. It is composed of elongated cells that lack striations, giving it a smooth appearance under a microscope. Smooth muscle is involuntary, meaning it contracts without conscious control. Research in smooth muscle focuses on understanding its role in various physiological processes, such as regulating blood pressure, digestion, and urine flow. This includes studying the mechanisms involved in smooth muscle contraction and relaxation, as well as the development of drugs to modulate smooth muscle function for therapeutic purposes. Additionally, research in smooth muscle biology investigates how diseases such as hypertension, asthma, and gastrointestinal disorders impact smooth muscle function and contribute to pathological conditions.