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Joseph
Randall
Moorman
Degree(s): M.D. Graduate School: University of Mississippi Primary Appointment: Professor of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine Research Interests: Mathematical Analysis of Cardiac Rhythms Email Address: rm3h@virginia.edu |
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Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s) Research Description
We study regulation of the heartbeat in health and disease.
Our major clinical research effort centers on sepsis, a life-threatening infection
of the bloodstream and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in premature
newborn infants. Currently, the diagnosis is often not suspected until late
in the course of the illness when the infant is very ill indeed. We have developed
a new strategy for early diagnosis based on the finding that signs of illness
are preceded by abnormal heart rate characteristics (HRC) of reduced variability
and transient decelerations. Using a validated predictive algorithm for continuous
HRC monitoring, we have recently diagnosed and treated sepsis in infants who
never became ill. We are conducting a randomized clinical trial to test the
hypothesis that HRC monitoring improves the outcomes of infants in the neonatal
intensive care unit. The techniques involve clinical neonatology and mathematical
biostatistics. Our major basic science research effort centers on the FXYD family of single
transmembrane proteins that modulate membrane ion transport processes. Of particular
interest is FXYD 1, or phospholemman (PLM), a major substrate for diverse protein
kinases in heart that modulates Na,K-ATPase, Na-Ca exchanger, and to form osmolyte-selective
channels. We utilize reagents and models ranging from highly purified wild-type
and mutant protein to the knock-out mouse using most imaginable techniques of
animal and cellular cardiac physiology, electrophysiology, structural biology,
biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell imaging. Our goal is to understand
the physiological role of PLM in heart, where it is the major substrate for
phosphorylation by PKA (activated by beta adrenergic receptors) and PKC (activated
by angiotensin-II receptors and a-adrenergic receptors). Since the major interventions
to prolong life in congestive heart failure, which affects millions of Americans,
are blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors and angiotensin-II receptors, the
potential clinical importance of understanding PLM function is enormous. Selected Publications Intranet Profile [To add/update Intranet profile information, read these instructions.]
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