Sheldon Garrison, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy
PhD, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, 2009 Faculty Advisor: Cheryl L. Stucky, PhD
Mailing Address: Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy 8701 Watertown Plank Road Milwaukee, WI 53226-3548 USA
Email: sgarrison@mcw.edu
Phone: (414) 955-8478 FAX: (414) 955-6517
Research Area: Mechanisms that underlie pain
Pain is a sensation that is essential to responding to adverse stimuli, and is oftentimes associated with tissue damage and feelings of discomfort. Painful thermal, chemical and mechanical sensations are transmitted by molecular sensors expressed on a subset of sensory neurons called nociceptors. One family of molecular sensors are the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels. Distinct TRP channel subunits are capable of integrating diverse stimuli, yet the mechanisms by which they are activated and transduce these signals into electrical activity remain poorly understood. In the Stucky lab we are seeking to identify specific TRP channel subunit roles in nociceptors. We use multiple approaches to better understand their function at the levels of gene expression, electrophysiological recording and behavior. One particular TRP channel that we are investigating is TRPA1, a mechanical transducer that appears to be important in disease-induced chronic pain and is a potential therapeutic pharmacological target.
Training / Education
2009- Postdoctoral Fellowship with Dr. Cheryl Stucky, Medical College of Wisconsin 2004-2009 PhD, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee 1997-2002 BS, University of Wisconsin - Madison