Research
Medical College Faculty with Redox Biology Programs
John Corbett, Ph.D.: His research is focused on determining the factors that influence the function and survival of pancreatic beta cells in the context of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Albert Girotti, Ph.D.: He has a longstanding interest in the pathologic as well as therapeutic effects of oxidative stress, including photodynamic stress used in anti-cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT). For quite some time, the special focus of his work has been on the generation, translocation, signaling action, and detoxification of lipid oxidation products, particularly lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs). His group, including visiting academic collaborators, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, has contributed steadily in these areas over the past 30 years with NIH/NCI support. In PDT-related aspects, he has studied various sensitizing agents (phthalocyanines, merocyanines, and tetrapyrroles, including ALA-generated PpIX) and oxidizable targets ranging from plasma membrane-mimetic liposomes to cultured tumor cells. From 1989-1996, He has served as program PI on an NCI P01 grant: Mechanisms of Merocyanine-Mediated Phototherapy. Much of his recent work has focused on biochemical factors that influence PDT effectiveness, e.g. effects of LOOH-detoxifying selenoperoxidases, and pro-oxidant vs. antioxidant effects of iron vs. nitric oxide (NO). Elucidation of cytoprotective signaling mechanisms that underlie photostress-induced upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in tumor cells, a phenomenon recently discovered in his laboratory, is a major goal of his current research.
David Gutterman, M.D.: His research efforts span basic and clinical science related to vascular health and disease.
David Harder, Ph.D.: He currently has a couple projects going on. Autoregulation of Cerebral Blood Flow: The main goal of this project is to define the genetic factor responsible for autoregulation of cerebral blood flow, including the signaling cascades and ionic mechanisms that mediate pressure-induced myogenic tone. Regulating Cerebral Microcirculation by Astrocytes: The goal of this project is to define mechanisms by which epoxygenase metabolites of astrocytes inhibit autoregulatory vasoconstriction of cerebral arteries. The major goal of this project is to define some of the cellular and ionic mechanisms through which superoxide and hydrogen peroxide modulate myogenic autoregulation of cerebral blood flow.
Neil Hogg, Ph.D.
Balaraman Kalyanaraman, Ph.D.: His research interests are centered on the application of EPR in free radical biology and understanding the role of free radicals in signal transduction and apoptosis.
Marilyn Merker, Ph.D.: Her current research is focused on the mechanisms regulating inactivation and activation of vasoactive peptides and the inactivation (reduction) of oxidizing substances.
Kirkwood Pritchard, Ph.D.
Jeannette Vasquez-Vivar, Ph.D.: Her research is focused on superoxide generation from eNOS, regulation of NO production in the heart and tetrahydrobiopterin in fetal brain development.
Postdoctoral Fellows
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Redox Biology Program, please contact Dr. Neil Hogg.