Faculty Profiles: PHS
Physiology and Biophysics
Ellen Barrett, PhD
Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
ebarrett2@med.miami.edu
Our laboratory studies ways to preserve neuromuscular structure and function in the SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We infuse candidate protective agents into one hind-limb and compare neuromuscular structure and function in infused vs. non-infused limbs.
John Barrett, PhD
Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
jbarrett@med.miami.edu
Our laboratory studies how mammalian central neurons respond to stress. One project seeks mechanisms underlying the complementary neuroprotective effects of neurotrophins (e.g. NGF, BDNF) and bone morphogenetic proteins (e.g. BMP7) during hypoglycemic stress in septal cholinergic neurons. Another project studies neuronal responses to hyperthermia, exacerbating damage by hypoglycemia and ischemia.
Laura Bianchi, PhD
Associate Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
l.bianchi@med.miami.edu
Employing the powerful model organism, C. elegans, my laboratory is interested in the role of DEG/ENaC ion channels in sensory perception and neurodegeneration. These voltage- independent Na+ channels function as trimers in an extraordinary range of biological processes including several senses, transepithelial transport, and have been linked to human diseases.
Nirupa Chaudhari, PhD
Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
nchaudhari@miami.edu
We study how sensory cells function and regenerate by profiling gene expression in different cell types (RNAseq, single-cell RT-PCR, confocal microscopy) to understand how taste buds function, turnover and differentiate. We also image the functional responses of taste bud cells and sensory neurons under normal and metabolically altered conditions.
Kevin Collins, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biology
kmc117@miami.edu
Our goal is to understand how neural circuits control behavior. We are taking advantage of the optical clarity and powerful genetics of the C. elegans egg-laying behavior circuit to literally watch and manipulate the activity of specific cells. We hope to unravel the molecular mechanisms that modulate neurotransmission during specific animal behavior states.
Gerhard Dahl, MD
Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
gdahl@med.miami.edu
Our lab concentrates on ways of intercellular communications through gap junctions and calcium waves. Research in my laboratory is geared towards two goals: 1) Identification of functional domains within the molecular subunits of gap junctions, the connexins. 2) Determination of the physiological function of specific gap junction proteins in tissues.
George Inana, MD, PhD
Professor, Ophthalmology
ginana@med.miami.edu
Our lab investigates the mechanisms of retinal diseases that lead to blindness through the identification of causative genes, construction and use of animal models to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms by which specific gene mutations lead to retinal degeneration, and therapeutic manipulation of the animal models for the ultimate goal of developing effective therapies.
Robert Keane, PhD
Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
rkeane@med.miami.edu
My research focuses on the activation of innate immune signaling after CNS injury. We discovered that CNS cells harbor inflammasomes that contribute to inflammatory pathomechanisms. Our current work seeks to understand the physiological functions of these signaling pathways that may provide promising and unique therapeutic strategies to treat CNS injury and disease.
W. Glenn Kerrick, PhD
Professor, Physiology and Biophysics
wglkerrick@miami.edu
Mason Klein, PhD
Assistant Professor, Physics
klein@med.miami.edu
Hans Peter Larsson, PhD
Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
plarsson@med.miami.edu
My lab aims to understand the molecular mechanisms that open and close voltage-gated ion channels. Since mutations exist in such channels in patients with diseases such as epilepsy, irregular heart rhythms, and periodic paralyses, understanding the structure and function of channels could lead to treatments for several disorders. We also study how glutamate transporters function.
Karl Magleby, PhD
Professor and Chair, Physiology and Biophysics
kmagleby@med.miami.edu
Research interests are: (1) characterizing the types of ion channels in different cells, and determining the mechanisms by which the different channels open and close their pores (gating) and select for the passage of specific ions (selectivity); (2) the mechanisms underlying the short-term changes in transmitter release (short-term synaptic plasticity).
Fabrice Manns, PhD
Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Ophthalmology
fmanns@med.miami.edu
Dr. Manns research activities include the development of optical laser and optical instrumentation for the treatment and diagnosis of eye diseases, and studies on the optics of the eye to help optimize vision correction procedures.
Vincent Moy, PhD
Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
vmoy@med.miami.edu
Our lab uses the biophysical methods to investigate the role of mechanical forces in biological processes such as cell migration, cell-cell interactions and vesicle fusion.
Kenneth Muller, PhD
Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
kmuller@med.miami.edu
How do nerve cells form precise synaptic connections and how do those connections normally function? We study developing circuitry in the retina and brainstem, the repair and functioning of synaptic connections, and control of microglia moving to nerve injuries.
Wolfgang Nonner, PhD
Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
wnonner@med.miami.edu
My research concerns the physical mechanisms by which ion channels control selectivity and ion flow. We use computational tools to address these questions at the atomic level, and determine which principles of physics are used by the channels to achieve crucial biological functions.
Suhrud Rajguru, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
s.rajguru@med.miami.edu
Neuroprosthetics, Neural Engineering, Neurophysiology
Stephen Roper, PhD
Professor, Physiology & Biophysics
sroper@med.miami.edu
I study the molecular and cellular physiology of sensory organs. Specifically, my research focuses on signal transduction and signal processing in taste buds. I use functional imaging with voltage-, pH-, and ion-sensitive fluorescent dyes, confocal microscopy, and electrophysiology.
Richard Rotundo, PhD
Professor, Cell Biology
rrotundo@med.miami.edu
Our laboratory focuses on the regulation of neurotransmission via the enzyme, acetyl cholinesterase. We study: 1) The contributions of protein folding and assembly in regulating active molecules at synapses. 2) The development of novel probes for identifying cholinergic synapses. 3) RNA binding proteins that control protein translation at muscle and neuronal synapses in response to specific signals. 4) The repair of neuromuscular and CNS cholinergic synapse following acetylcholinesterase inactivation.
Christine Thomas, PhD
Professor, Neurological Surgery
cthomas3@med.miami.edu
My research explores strategies to rescue denervated muscle and the mechanisms underlying peripheral nerve regeneration, neuromuscular fatigue, weakness and spasticity