Research
My current research is directed at understanding to role of adenosine in myocardial protection. Adenosine is known to have many actions that protect the heart against the damage that ensues from prolonged periods of oxidative stress such as that which occurs during heart attacks or cardiac surgery. These protective actions are mediated through membrane-bound adenosine receptors that face the extracellular space.
With recent advances in genetic engineering, heart cells, both in intact hearts and in cell culture, can be modified so that they produce more adenosine receptors. Such hearts or isolated cells are more tolerant to oxidative stress.
Although it is well accepted that adenosine has cardioprotective properties, the mechanism of this cardioprotection is not completely understood. The objective of my research is to elucidate the mechanism of adenosine-mediated cardioprotection, using a cell culture model of adenosine receptor overexpression. More specifically, we are looking at the intracellular signaling pathways, such as protein kinase C and MAP kinase, which are altered with adenosine receptor overexpression.
This research is supported by a NIH AREA grant entitled “Protection with Adenosine A1 Receptor Overexpression.” The research protocols are designed for a laboratory that has as its core mission the short-term training of undergraduates in biomedical research. Therefore, beyond the scientific objectives described above, it is hoped that this research provides an opportunity for undergraduates to obtain a challenging and rewarding research experience.
