AREAS of EXPERTISE: Heart failure interstitial cystitis nociception cell signaling electrophysiology of heart and nerve cells patch clamp techniques brain slice electrophysiology voltage dependent ion channels TRP channels P2X channels G-protein coupled receptors protein kinases/phosphorylation (PKC, PKA, ERK) phosphoprotein phosphatases knowledgeable of molecular biology techniques such as use of Herpes simplex virus to express proteins in dorsal root ganglia neurons, genetic knock out and western blotting. Site directed mutagenesis of Sur 1 and KATP channels. Signaling mechanisms and ion channels during development and in the adult mammalian brain. Measurements of field potentials in hippocampal and amygdala brain slices to study mechanisms of fear behavior. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: o Discovered the state-dependent modulation of cardiac and skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channels. Proposed that this mechanism could account for use dependent enhancement of muscle contraction such as that seen in the well known positive staircase phenomenon in heart and tetanic contraction in skeletal muscle. o Discovered several aspects of neurokinin dependent modulation of electrical activity, voltage-dependent ion channels and TRPV1 channels in nociceptive DRG neurons. Proposed a model of neurokinin mediated autofeedback mechanism which would contribute to nociceptive sensitization. and POSITIONS:
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