Dr. Emala's main area of research interest is in the understanding of interactions between signal transduction pathways in airway nerves and smooth muscle and how these interactions contribute to diseases such as asthma. Interaction of anesthetic agents with muscarinic and GABA receptors on airway nerves and smooth muscle is a particular focus of these studies. A broader understanding of the non-neuronal expression and function of GABA_A receptors in smooth muscle is a central focus.  The laboratory uses whole animal airway physiology studies, isolated contractile studies of airway and vascular smooth muscle and biochemical and molecular biological techniques in elucidating the expression and function of signaling molecules.

Dr. Hirshman’s main area of research interest is in mechanisms underlying airway reactivity. She has developed a genetic dog model of asthma manifesting the major traits of the disease: allergy, inflammation and airway hyperreactivity. Current research interests include elucidating the mechanisms by which airway smooth muscle contracts and relaxes, and to identify alterations in these signaling pathways by asthma and anesthesia. Her studies range from clinical investigations in patients undergoing anesthesia and surgery to investigations in cultured airway smooth muscle cells using biochemical and molecular biologic techniques.