Our current research interests are:
I. Regulation of intrapulmonary
smooth muscle contraction:
A key event in asthma or
pulmonary hypertension is the contraction of the airway or arteriole smooth
muscle cells (SMCs). To understand how Ca2+ signaling regulates this
contraction, we are investigating the contractility and Ca2+
signaling of SMCs of small airways and arterioles within mouse lung slices using
time-lapse, confocal and 2-photon microscopy. More....
II. The regulation of airway ciliary activity:
Ciliary
activity is essential for the clearance of mucus and inhaled contaminants from the
airways but the
mechanisms controlling ciliary beat frequency are not well understood. We are investigating the ciliary beat frequency of small airways using lung
slices. More........
III. Real-Time Microscopy Techniques:
To examine changes in calcium and ciliary activity, we use custom-built
high-performance imaging techniques of confocal microscopy, 2-photon microscopy
and high-speed digital phase-contrast or DIC microscopy. Learn how here:
Confocal or 2-Photon microscopy.....
Other research Interests:
IV. The mechanism and function of intercellular calcium
waves
Calcium signals consist of
both calcium oscillations,
that sweep across individual cells as intracellular
waves, and increases in calcium that sweep through multi-cellular
tissues as intercellular waves. Intercellular calcium waves exist in a variety of
tissues but their function and mechanisms are
not fully understood. Wave propagation can be mediated by the diffusion of inositol trisphosphate or calcium through gap junctions
or
the diffusion of extracellular messengers such as ATP that may be released via
hemi-channels. More.......
We hope you found what you were looking for; if not, give Mike Sanderson a call at (508)-856-6024. If you have comments or suggestions, E-mail the lab-master at Michael. Sanderson@umassmed.edu
This page was last updated 12/15/06 - by Mike