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Department of Physiology

  1. Bernstein, Jaime, Ph.D. (Professor)
    e-mail:jbernstei@prtc.net

    At present we are interested in two main lines of research:
  1. The mechanisms responsible for the extraordinary capacity of the lung to metabolize ethanol by non-oxidative pathways and the possibility to utilize this ability to detoxify humans. A study of the metabolic capacities of the pulmonary endothelium and endothelia from other vascular beds is also involved.

  2. Mechanisms responsible for the regulation of intracellular calcium in hepatocytes, including the role of calcium/sodium exchange and sodium/proton exchange in liver pathology.
  1. Blagburn, Jonathan, Ph.D. (Researcher)
    e-mail:jmblagbu@neurobio.upr.clu.edu

    The essence of nervous system organization is the establishment of synaptic circuits. A great deal of precision is demanded in the construction of these circuits and many of the disorders of behavior that occur in humans and other animals are due to abnormalities in the development of synaptic connections. We are using the cercal sensory neurons of the cockroach as a model system to understand molecular mechanisms of axon guidance and synaptic target recognition. Using techniques of intracellular dye injection, electrophysiology and molecular biology, we are currently investigating how the highly conserved homeodomain transcription factor, Engrailed, and its cofactors control axonal guidance and synaptic target recognition.
  2. Crespo, María José, Ph.D. (Professor)
    e-mail: mcrespo@rcm.upr.edu

    My research interests are in the area of cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology, especially in pathophysiological conditions such as hypertension , diabetes, and congestive heart failure. I am particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction and vascular modifications present in these conditions. Alterations in the signal transduction pathway of nitric oxide (NO) and in the rennin-angiotensin system (RAS) are studied using animal models of hypertension and heart failure. The principal approaches used in my laobatory include aortic ring contractility studies, determination of cardiovascular variables (cardiac output, blood pressure, and heart rate), and evaluation of NO concentration and RAS activity. I am interested in establishing a collaboration with other researchers working in this field, especially in the molecular biology of the NO and RAS systems.
  3. Escobales, Nelson, Ph.D. (Professor)
    emails:nescobales@rcm.upr.edu and nescobal@prtc.net

    The research activities in my laboratory are concerned with the study of endothelial and smooth muscle cell function. We investigate organic and ion transport across cell membranes, nitric oxide (NO) formation and regulation, and signal transduction systems. The latter include the study of intracellular pH and calcium ions as part of the regulatory pathways used by cells to control their function. The purpose of these studies is to understand the function of endothelial and smooth muscle cells under normal conditions to gain insights into the possible alterations involved in the development of conditions that affect the vascular system. Cardiovascular conditions associated with altered endothelial and smooth muscle function include atherosclerosis, hypertension, restenosis, and congestive heart failure. Therefore, we expect to contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of these conditions.
  4. Kuffler, Damien, Ph.D. (Professor)
    email:dkuffler@neurobio.upr.clu.edu

    The principal research interest of the laboratory concerns the interactions between neurons and their targets. How do regenerating axons find their denervated target cells? What neurotropic factors do these target cells, other neurons and muscle fibers, release that direct the regeneration of axons towards them? What cues allow axons to recognize their appropriate targets once contact has been made and direct the formation and stabilization of a synapse? These questions are being examined both in vivo and in tissue cultures of motor and sensory neurons, Schwann cells and muscle fibers. Techniques used include intracellular and patch microelectrode recordings, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, biochemical and molecular biological techniques.
    Our experiments have shown that the cells of the denervated pathway of axons, as well as their denervated muscle fiber targets release diffusible neurotrophic and neurotropic factors. Presently we are attempting to isolate and characterize these factors. We have also shown that macrophages, scavengers of damaged tissue, can promote and direct motoneuron process outgrowth. In other experiments we are attempting to isolate and examine the role of extracellular matrix molecules in promoting process outgrowth from regenerating neuronal processes.
  5. Miranda, Jorge D., Ph.D. (Assistant Professor)
    e-mail:jdmiranda@rcm.upr.edu

    Our research interest is in the area of developmental neurobiology, specifically on nerve regeneration and axonal outgrowth. Spinal Cord Injurt (SCI) results in a series of time- dependent structural and physiological changes at the site of the trauma, producing a, non- permissive environment for axonal outgrowth. The focus of this laboratory is to analyze at the mRNA and protein level the temporal and spatial expression of molecular signals with repellent properties that may be upregulated after SCI, inhibiting axonal elongation. At the present, we are investigating the expression of the Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and its ligands the ephrins after SCI. In addition, we are interested in determining the possible role that these receptors play in the non-favorable environment for axonal regeneration and function recovery. Molecular biology, protein biochemistry, neuroimaging traicing strategies and behavioral assays will be used in conjection with injured rats at the T10 level to analyze the expression of these proteins. Defining the specific temporal and spatial expression of individual inhibitory molecules, both on the regenerating fibers and in the local microenvironment, may lead to novel therapeutic strategies to enhanced regeneration and functional recovery after SCI.
  6. Rivera, Miguel A., (Associate Professor)
    e-mail:mirivera@rcm.upr.edu

    The research activities in my laboratory pursue the understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of the acute and chronic effects of exercise on human physiology in health and performance. To accomplish our objective we are currently examining DNA sequence variations in a panel of candidate genes potentially related to cardiovascular function and cardiorespiratory endurance in the sedentary state and in response to endurance exercise. The latter includes the evaluation of the genotypic effect on heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, blood pressure, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). The study of these, as well as other phenotypes determinants of cardiorespiratory endurance is of relevance since this physiological phenomena is related to health status and well being.
  7. Santacana, Guido E., Ph.D. (Professor)
    Airway Smooth Muscle Physiology
    e-mail:laffitte@prtc.net

    Physiology of low temperature responses in airway smooth muscle. Cholesterol lowering drugs and airway smooth muscle contractility. Regulation of airway smooth muscle by angiotensin.
  8. Segarra, Annabell C., Ph.D. (Associate Professor)
    e-mail:asegarra@rcm.upr.edu

    The research in our laboratory focuses on the interactions between sex steroids, glucocorticoids and the opioid system in modulating motivated behaviors such as sexual behavior and drug abuse. Our long term goal is to elucidate the mechanisms by which the prenatal environment induces alterations in brain neurochemistry and/or synaptic connectivity that results in dysfunctional motivational and reward circuits. Many of these motivated behaviors are sexually dimorphic, and thus we are also interested in investigating the developmental window when this dimorphism is established and the factors involved. Our current research efforts are concentrated in two main areas:
  1. The interactions between estrogen and the opioid system in modulating behavioral sensitization to cocaine.

  2. The mechanism by which prenatal stress modulates behavioral sensitizationb to cocaine.

    By studying the interaction between limbic brain neurochemistry and plasma steroids in normal and aberrant motivated behaviors, we are able to obtain physiologically relevant information that may contribute to elucidate the mechanisms involved in select psychiatric disorders, and to identify gender bias. A better understanding of the factors that lead to differential sensitivity to drugs of abuse is crucial for the development of pharmacotherapy that is equally effective in males and females.
  1. Silva, Walter I., Ph.D. (Professor)
    e-mail:wsilva@rcm.upr.edu

    In general terms my laboratory is interested in the cellular and molecular physiology of vascular and brain cells. Using cultured cells from vascular and brain tissue as models systems, we are focusing our efforts in understanding the role of subcellular transport vesicles in the transport of neuropeptide processing enzymes, and in the cellular level effects of the polyether marine toxins (brevetoxins, saxitoxins, ciguatoxins, and maitotoxins). In addition, the laboratory also studies the role of the recently characterized caveolae and their constituent caveolins in the differentiation of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, and C6 glial cells. In the first area of interest the fundamental premise is forwarded that the peripheral and central effects of these marine neurotoxins are intimately linked to subcellular transport pathways and the signal transduction compartments that these define, i.e. the caveolar signal transduction compartment. This subcellular level approach shall provide an enhanced understanding of the mechanisms of action and the pathophysiology of the toxicity ensued by these toxins. On the second hand, the possibility is explored that the peripheral and central actions of neuropeptides (NP) are intimately linked to the expression of NP processing enzymes (NPE) in two coated vesicular transport organelles, clathrin coated vesicles (CCV) and caveolae (CAV). The main trust of this project rests on the opportunity to expand our fundamental knowledge on neuropeptide expression and function, and in providing a groundwork for understanding the subcellular basis of the regulation of NPE expression, both centrally and peripherally. Last but not least, our laboratory has recently succeeded in the initial characterization of caveolae and caveolins in C6 glial cells. These findings are particularly significant in relationship to the establishment of a model system to study the relevance of the caveolae compartment to signal transduction pathways in glial cells, and their fundamental relevance to the differentiation of these brain cells.
  2. Zuazaga, Conchita, Ph.D. (Professor)
    e-mail:czuazaga@neurobio.upr.clu.edu

    Our laboratory studies the modulation of ionic conductances and excitation-contraction coupling in crustacean muscle fibers by neuropeptides and drugs.

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Contact:
Emma Fernández-Repollet,Ph.D.
Program Director
RCMI Program
Room 621-A, 6th. floor
Main Building, Medical Sciences Campus
GPO Box 365067
San Juan, PR 00936-5067
Email: efernandez@rcm.upr.edu
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Voice (787) 763-9401
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