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Molecular and Integrative Physiology

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Faculty Research Concentration Areas -
Field of Molecular and Integrative Physiology

The Field of Molecular and Integrative Physiology offers graduate students the opportunity to participate in research in three major areas:

An alphabetical list of the faculty in the Field is also available.

Cellular & Molecular Physiology

Bedford-Guaus, Sylvia

events surrounding fertilization in mammalian species, particularly the horse; elucidate in vitro conditions to support stallion sperm capacitation

Beyenbach, Klaus

cellular transport mechanisms and electrolyte regulation; NaCl secretion in renal tubules

Cohen, Paula

mammalian meiosis; germ cell development; DNA repair mechanisms in recombination; genetic basis for nondisjunction in oocytes; transgenic and knockout mouse models for studying meiosis and recombination

Currie, W. Bruce

biology of pregnancy; cell biology of the early mammalian embryo

Davisson, Robin

Our studies examine the physiological and pathophysiological effects of targeted genetic alterations in animals (both germline and somatic) in order to investigate molecular mechanisms determining normal cardiovascular function and the pathogenesis of certain cardiovascular diseases. Within this framework, we focus on three major areas: 1) central neural control of blood pressure and autonomic function, with an emphasis on dissection of gene function in cardiovascular regulatory circuits of the brain in normal animals and in clinically relevant models of hypertension 2) molecular determinants of cardiac disease, particularly cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure; 3) molecular pathophysiology of preeclampsia using a novel genetic mouse model that spontaneously develops the cardinal features of this pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder. Common themes linking all of our projects are the renin-angiotensin system and the role of oxidative stress.

Fewtrell, Clare

calcium and cell activation

Kotlikoff, Michael

molecular processes underlying excitation-contraction coupling, particularly in smooth muscle cells; role of specific sarcoplasmic reticular calcium release channels and sarcolemmal ion channels in cellular excitation and relaxation

Lin, David

axon guidance and target selection during development of mouse olfactory system using genetic, in vitro and genomic approaches; developmental biology;olfaction; azon guidance; mouse genetics; genomics; neurobiology

Nikitin, Alexander

experimental pathology of neoplasia in the mammary gland, the prostate, and the ovary; design and characterization of animal models for human cancer; conditional gulation of gene expression in temporal, spatial and cell type-specific manner; identification and characterization of early atypical cells during carcinogenesis; genetic evaluation of cell lineage-specific effects of tumor suppressor genes in mouse models; functional design of cell targeting by laser microdissection-peptide phage display technology

Nowak, Linda

membrane biophysics; molecular biology of glutamate receptors; cellular neurophysiology; pharmacology of synaptic transmission

O'Brien, Timothy P.

mouse developmental genetics; cell signaling and genomic regulatory networks; genome organization and patterning

Parks, John

spermatogenesis in vitro, gamete physiology, cryobiology

Quaroni, Andrea

cellular differentiation and growth of intestinal cells

Quirk, Susan

molecular and cellular aspects of ovarian function

Roberson, Mark

regulation of pituitary-specific gene expression by gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Schimenti, John

mouse genetics and functional genomics; genomic instability; genetic recombination; genetics of gametogenesis and development; use of ES cells to mutagenize the mouse genome

Sharp, Geoffrey

signal transduction and second messengers involved in the control of insulin release; intestinal ion and water transport

Suarez, Susan

sperm motility regulation and transport in the female reproductive tract

Travis, Alexander

biology of male germ cells; signaling and metabolism of sperm during capacitation; organization of lipid raft membrane sub-domains in sperm; conservation applications of germ cell reproductive technologies

Weiss, Robert

mechanisms for the maintenance of genomic integrity and their roles in normal development and Tumorigenesis

Membrane & Epithelial Physiology

Fewtrell, Clare

calcium and cell activation

Nowak, Linda

membrane biophysics; molecular biology of glutamate receptors; cellular neurophysiology; pharmacology of synaptic transmission

Sharp, Geoffrey

signal transduction and second messengers involved in the control of insulin release; intestinal ion and water transport

Suarez, Susan

sperm motility regulation and transport in the female reproductive tract

Travis, Alexander

biology of male germ cells; signaling and metabolism of sperm during capacitation; organization of lipid raft membrane sub-domains in sperm; conservation applications of germ cell reproductive technologies

Behavioral Physiology

Houpt, Katherine A.

vertebrate social behavior, especially reproductive behavior; hormones and behavior; avian behavior; sex differences and their development; neuroethology of sexual behavior; comparative sexual behavior and reproductive biology

Place, Ned

mammalian reproductive biology, with a focus on the life history trade-offs associated with the timing of hormone secretion and reproductive effort. I have studied sexual differentiation and mating behavior of spotted hyenas under semi-natural conditions, the seasonal reproductive endocrinology of yellow-pine chipmunks in the field, and most recently, the effects of photoperiod on reproductive aging in Siberian hamsters. I strive to pursue basic research that is integrative and comparative, while also being biomedically and ecologically relevant.

Cardiovascular & Repiratory Physiology

Ainsworth, Dorothy

pathophysiology & pulmonary immunology

Davisson, Robin

Our studies examine the physiological and pathophysiological effects of targeted genetic alterations in animals (both germline and somatic) in order to investigate molecular mechanisms determining normal cardiovascular function and the pathogenesis of certain cardiovascular diseases. Within this framework, we focus on three major areas: 1) central neural control of blood pressure and autonomic function, with an emphasis on dissection of gene function in cardiovascular regulatory circuits of the brain in normal animals and in clinically relevant models of hypertension 2) molecular determinants of cardiac disease, particularly cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure; 3) molecular pathophysiology of preeclampsia using a novel genetic mouse model that spontaneously develops the cardinal features of this pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder. Common themes linking all of our projects are the renin-angiotensin system and the role of oxidative stress.

Gilmour, Robert

cardiac electrophysiology, pharmacology

Gleed, Robin

respiration; hypoxia and pulmonary circulation; anesthesiology

Kotlikoff, Michael

molecular processes underlying excitation-contraction coupling, particularly in smooth muscle cells; role of specific sarcoplasmic reticular calcium release channels and sarcolemmal ion channels in cellular excitation and relaxation

Ludders, John

effects of inhalant and injectable anesthetics on avian physiology, more specifically on the control of ventilation in birds

Endocrinology

Fortune, Joanne

ovarian function

Johnson, Patricia

the process of follicle selection and development in the hen; development and characterization of the chicken as a model for human ovarian cancer

Ludders, John

effects of inhalant and injectable anesthetics on avian physiology, more specifically on the control of ventilation in birds

Nikitin, Alexander

experimental pathology of neoplasia in the mammary gland, the prostate, and the ovary; design and characterization of animal models for human cancer; conditional gulation of gene expression in temporal, spatial and cell type-specific manner; identification and characterization of early atypical cells during carcinogenesis; genetic evaluation of cell lineage-specific effects of tumor suppressor genes in mouse models; functional design of cell targeting by laser microdissection-peptide phage display technology

O'Brien, Kimberly

Calcium Metabolism and Bone Health; Control of Maternal/Fetal Nutrient; Partitioning and Cellular Mineral Transport; Micronutrient Status in International Settings; Development of Mass Spectrometric Methodology; Pediatric Bone Health; Pregnancy and Mineral Metabolism in Adolescents

Place, Ned

mammalian reproductive biology, with a focus on the life history trade-offs associated with the timing of hormone secretion and reproductive effort. I have studied sexual differentiation and mating behavior of spotted hyenas under semi-natural conditions, the seasonal reproductive endocrinology of yellow-pine chipmunks in the field, and most recently, the effects of photoperiod on reproductive aging in Siberian hamsters. I strive to pursue basic research that is integrative and comparative, while also being biomedically and ecologically relevant.

Roberson, Mark

regulation of pituitary-specific gene expression by gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Environmental & Comparative Physiology

Johnson, Patricia

the process of follicle selection and development in the hen; development and characterization of the chicken as a model for human ovarian cancer

Ludders, John

effects of inhalant and injectable anesthetics on avian physiology, more specifically on the control of ventilation in birds

Place, Ned

mammalian reproductive biology, with a focus on the life history trade-offs associated with the timing of hormone secretion and reproductive effort. I have studied sexual differentiation and mating behavior of spotted hyenas under semi-natural conditions, the seasonal reproductive endocrinology of yellow-pine chipmunks in the field, and most recently, the effects of photoperiod on reproductive aging in Siberian hamsters. I strive to pursue basic research that is integrative and comparative, while also being biomedically and ecologically relevant.

Gastrointestinal & Metabolic Physiology

Gunn, Teresa

In vivo and in vitro approaches to mouse developmental and physiological genetics. We are focusing on the role of the Attractin-Mahogunin pathway in pigmentation and neurodegeneration; embryonic patterning; body weight regulation. We are also collaborating with Cornell veterinary cardiology group to dissect the genetic basis of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in dogs

Loew, Ellis

physiology of vision; sensory biophysics; sensory ecology and nutritional ophthalmology

Lust, George

biochemistry; metabolism and function of connective tissue; osteoarthritis

O'Brien, Kimberly

Calcium Metabolism and Bone Health; Control of Maternal/Fetal Nutrient; Partitioning and Cellular Mineral Transport; Micronutrient Status in International Settings; Development of Mass Spectrometric Methodology; Pediatric Bone Health; Pregnancy and Mineral Metabolism in Adolescents

Quaroni, Andrea

cellular differentiation and growth of intestinal cells

Sharp, Geoffrey

signal transduction and second messengers involved in the control of insulin release; intestinal ion and water transport

Neural & Sensory Physiology

Davisson, Robin

Our studies examine the physiological and pathophysiological effects of targeted genetic alterations in animals (both germline and somatic) in order to investigate molecular mechanisms determining normal cardiovascular function and the pathogenesis of certain cardiovascular diseases. Within this framework, we focus on three major areas: 1) central neural control of blood pressure and autonomic function, with an emphasis on dissection of gene function in cardiovascular regulatory circuits of the brain in normal animals and in clinically relevant models of hypertension 2) molecular determinants of cardiac disease, particularly cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure; 3) molecular pathophysiology of preeclampsia using a novel genetic mouse model that spontaneously develops the cardinal features of this pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder. Common themes linking all of our projects are the renin-angiotensin system and the role of oxidative stress.

Howland, Howard

human and animal vision; sensory physiology; mathematical biology

Lin, David

axon guidance and target selection during development of mouse olfactory system using genetic, in vitro and genomic approaches; developmental biology;olfaction; azon guidance; mouse genetics; genomics; neurobiology

Loew, Ellis

physiology of vision; sensory biophysics; sensory ecology and nutritional ophthalmology

Nowak, Linda

membrane biophysics; molecular biology of glutamate receptors; cellular neurophysiology; pharmacology of synaptic transmission

Schaffer, Chris

My group uses advanced optical techniques to observe and manipulate in vivo biological systems, with the goal of developing a microscopic-scale understanding of normal and disease-state physiological processes.

Reproductive Physiology

Bedford-Guaus, Sylvia

events surrounding fertilization in mammalian species, particularly the horse; elucidate in vitro conditions to support stallion sperm capacitation

Butler, W. Ron

gonadoptropins and ovarian function; reproduction/nutrition interactions

Cohen, Paula

mammalian meiosis; germ cell development; DNA repair mechanisms in recombination; genetic basis for nondisjunction in oocytes; transgenic and knockout mouse models for studying meiosis and recombination

Currie, W. Bruce

biology of pregnancy; cell biology of the early mammalian embryo

Fortune, Joanne

ovarian function

Johnson, Patricia

the process of follicle selection and development in the hen; development and characterization of the chicken as a model for human ovarian cancer

Meyers-Wallen, Vicki

developmental biology; genetics

Nikitin, Alexander

experimental pathology of neoplasia in the mammary gland, the prostate, and the ovary; design and characterization of animal models for human cancer; conditional gulation of gene expression in temporal, spatial and cell type-specific manner; identification and characterization of early atypical cells during carcinogenesis; genetic evaluation of cell lineage-specific effects of tumor suppressor genes in mouse models; functional design of cell targeting by laser microdissection-peptide phage display technology

O'Brien, Kimberly

Calcium Metabolism and Bone Health; Control of Maternal/Fetal Nutrient; Partitioning and Cellular Mineral Transport; Micronutrient Status in International Settings; Development of Mass Spectrometric Methodology; Pediatric Bone Health; Pregnancy and Mineral Metabolism in Adolescents

Parks, John

spermatogenesis in vitro, gamete physiology, cryobiology

Place, Ned

mammalian reproductive biology, with a focus on the life history trade-offs associated with the timing of hormone secretion and reproductive effort. I have studied sexual differentiation and mating behavior of spotted hyenas under semi-natural conditions, the seasonal reproductive endocrinology of yellow-pine chipmunks in the field, and most recently, the effects of photoperiod on reproductive aging in Siberian hamsters. I strive to pursue basic research that is integrative and comparative, while also being biomedically and ecologically relevant.

Roberson, Mark

regulation of pituitary-specific gene expression by gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Schimenti, John

mouse genetics and functional genomics; genomic instability; genetic recombination; genetics of gametogenesis and development; use of ES cells to mutagenize the mouse genome

Suarez, Susan

sperm motility regulation and transport in the female reproductive tract

Travis, Alexander

biology of male germ cells; signaling and metabolism of sperm during capacitation; organization of lipid raft membrane sub-domains in sperm; conservation applications of germ cell reproductive technologies

Physiological Genomics

Davisson, Robin

Our studies examine the physiological and pathophysiological effects of targeted genetic alterations in animals (both germline and somatic) in order to investigate molecular mechanisms determining normal cardiovascular function and the pathogenesis of certain cardiovascular diseases. Within this framework, we focus on three major areas: 1) central neural control of blood pressure and autonomic function, with an emphasis on dissection of gene function in cardiovascular regulatory circuits of the brain in normal animals and in clinically relevant models of hypertension 2) molecular determinants of cardiac disease, particularly cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure; 3) molecular pathophysiology of preeclampsia using a novel genetic mouse model that spontaneously develops the cardinal features of this pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder. Common themes linking all of our projects are the renin-angiotensin system and the role of oxidative stress.

Gunn, Teresa

In vivo and in vitro approaches to mouse developmental and physiological genetics. We are focusing on the role of the Attractin-Mahogunin pathway in pigmentation and neurodegeneration; embryonic patterning; body weight regulation. We are also collaborating with Cornell veterinary cardiology group to dissect the genetic basis of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in dogs

Kotlikoff, Michael

molecular processes underlying excitation-contraction coupling, particularly in smooth muscle cells; role of specific sarcoplasmic reticular calcium release channels and sarcolemmal ion channels in cellular excitation and relaxation

Lin, David

axon guidance and target selection during development of mouse olfactory system using genetic, in vitro and genomic approaches; developmental biology;olfaction; azon guidance; mouse genetics; genomics; neurobiology

Nikitin, Alexander

experimental pathology of neoplasia in the mammary gland, the prostate, and the ovary; design and characterization of animal models for human cancer; conditional gulation of gene expression in temporal, spatial and cell type-specific manner; identification and characterization of early atypical cells during carcinogenesis; genetic evaluation of cell lineage-specific effects of tumor suppressor genes in mouse models; functional design of cell targeting by laser microdissection-peptide phage display technology

O'Brien, Timothy P.

mouse developmental genetics; cell signaling and genomic regulatory networks; genome organization and patterning

Schimenti, John

mouse genetics and functional genomics; genomic instability; genetic recombination; genetics of gametogenesis and development; use of ES cells to mutagenize the mouse genome

Weiss, Robert

mechanisms for the maintenance of genomic integrity and their roles in normal development and Tumorigenesis