Section: Research

James G. Dobson Jr., Ph.D.



Regulation of neurotransmitter signal transduction in the heart

The research in this laboratory is concerned with investigating transmembrane signaling and the mechanisms which regulate cardiac muscle force development and  myocardial energy utilization. Emphasis is given to the importance of adenosinergic modulation of the regulatory mechanisms particularly upon beta-adrenoceptor stimulation. The importance of the phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of proteins involved in the regulatory processes is a keen area of interest. Of additional interest is the role of adenosine in endothelial cell proliferation, aging of the cardiovascular system and heart failure. Mainly, isolated perfused hearts, dispersed ventricular myocytes and cultured endothelial cells are used in these studies.

The main emphasis is that by using current biochemical and molecular approaches and techniques the physiological mechanisms regulating cardiac mechanical performance and metabolism can be elucidated in the normal heart. This will foster a better understanding of how these neuro-regulatory mechanisms are altered in the diseased and aging cells that comprise the cardiovasculary system.

Office: S2-710/S2-718
Phone: 508-856-3103
Fax: 508-856-5997
E-mail: James.Dobson@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Cardiovascular Biology, Signal Transduction, Cardiac Physiology, Aging, Molecular Physiology

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