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 Pamela Flood, M.D.
Gareth R. Tibbs, Ph.D.
Robert A. Whittington, M.D. Dr. Whittington’s research deals with the anesthetic modulation of central nervous system excitotoxicity induced by cocaine. Currently, he is using a unique in vivo cerebral microdialysis technique to examine dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmitter systems in the nucleus accumbens, an area of the brain linked to cocaine’s excitatory effects in animals. He is also involved in clinical research projects examining ultra-rapid opioid detoxification under general anesthesia. Jay Yang, MD, PhD Dr. Yang's research interests focus on synaptic physiology of the brain and spinal cord. Specifically, the laboratory investigates molecular pharmacology of anesthetic agents on the inhibitory GABAA receptors using molecular biological, biophysical, and cell biological techniques. In a separate project, recombinant viral vectors are utilized to create "designer" inhibitory synapses exhibiting desirable pharmacological and physiological properties to regulate neuronal excitability. Fundamental cellular processes responsible for sub-cellular trafficking of GABAA receptor proteins to synapses is under investigation. Collaborative projects with other laboratories investigate the similarities and differences between basic signaling responsible for long-term memory in neuronal and non-neuronal systems. |
Dr. Flood’s main area of research is in the mechanism of action of general anesthetics and how central nicotinic inhibition by general anesthetics affects synaptic transmission. General anesthetics inhibit several ion channels including the neuronal type of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, which is thought to be involved in memory and attentiveness. The potent inhibition of the activity of this receptor by volatile anesthetics may underlie certain aspects of anesthesia. Her laboratory uses molecular biologic (chimeras and site directed mutagenesis), electrophysiologic and behavioral techniques to identify the inhibitory site for general anesthetics. A related interest is the effects of general anesthetic drugs on pain sensitivity.
Dr. Tibbs’ research interests focus upon a newly identified gene family which encodes a pacemaker channel in the heart and brain. One area of research is the pursuit of a molecular and biophysical understanding of the unusual activation, permeation and modulation properties of these channels, properties central to their ability to act as molecular rhythm generators. A second area of interest in his laboratory is to determine the contribution of these channels to thalamic and higher order physiology with particular emphasis on establishing if Ih dependent rhythmic activities in thalamic structures are indeed cellular drives underlying the conscious and unconscious states. The approaches employed encompass a combination of molecular biological and electrophysiological techniques.