TCV SURGERY RESEARCH AREAS
Here is a summary of the major research areas in our Lab. Click on the titles to take you to further details in each area.
LUNG TRANSPLANT ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION INJURY
Although there has been considerable progress in lung transplant biology, post-transplant ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury remains the major source of early mortality. Our lab is utilizing several animal models of IR injury to study mechanisms of this injury in terms of endothelial cell injury, the role of adenosine and nitric oxide and the role of resident lung leukocytes.
Pneumonectomy (removal of a lung) results in rapid, hyperplastic, compensatory growth of the remaining lung. The molecular mechanisms that regulate this regenerative growth are not well known. An understanding of these mechanisms and the role of angiogenesis and angiogenic growth factors in this growth could lead to therapies for lung injury, pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failure, transplantation for endstage lung disease, and even stimulation of regenerative growth in patients with minimal pulmonary tissues left after lung resection.
Many people suffer traumatic spinal cord injuries in the United States every year. Young victims of violent trauma are often left paralyzed because of our inability to limit spinal cord injury following the inciting traumatic event. In addition, many other people suffer spinal cord injury following surgery to correct certain abnormalities of the thoracic aorta. The spinal cord is very sensitive to even brief periods of decreased blood flow. We are currently utilizing several animal models to study spinal cord injury and the role of adenosine, cytokines and inflammation in this injury.
NEUROLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS
Our lab is collaborating with the laboratory of Kevin Lee, PhD, Chair and Harrison Foundation of Neuroscience, to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuronal injury associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. We have developed a rat model of cardiopulmonary bypass in our lab and are currently working with Dr. Lee in using this model to study inflammation after cardiopulmonary bypass and the subsequent neurological effects of bypass.