Neuropharmacology The physiological basis of neuronal toxicity caused by various insults including excitatory amino acids, oxidative stress and cerebral ischemia is being studied using quantitative imaging techniques, confocal microscopy, genetic approaches in model organisms, and molecular approaches in cultured cell lines, cultured primary neurons and in intact animals. These studies aim to develop an understanding of the mechanisms of neuronal injury in acute and chronic disorders. The regulation of the expression of voltage-gated ion channels in cell lines and primary cultures is being studied by molecular and patchclamping techniques. In addition, molecular genetic, electrophysiological and cell biological approaches are being used to explore the relationships between neurotransmitter transporter structure, substrate transport, inhibitor binding and ion permeation. New quantitative imaging approaches are being used to study the basic processes of neuropeptide secretion. Investigators in the Molecular Pharmacology program are also examining the mechanisms of autonomic regulation and synaptic transmission of the urogenital system. These studies include neuroanatomical and neurophysiological research aimed towards the development of agents to modulate neuronal control of the urinary bladder, colon, and sex organs. Targeted disruption of GABA receptors is being used as a tool to investigate the function of these receptors and their specific components in transgenic mice. The mechanism of action of anesthetics is being studied in genetic model organisms and using techniques of magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Faculty Aizenman, Elias Neurobiology Cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuronal cell death redox@pitt.edu 412-648-9434 Beckel, Jonathan Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Medical EducationMolecular, cellular and physiological approaches to understand epithelial-afferent nerve interactions and how changes in this communication play a role in bladder pathology jmbeckel@pitt.edu 412-383-5004 Birder, Lori Professor, Medicine Study a number of ion channel/receptor targets within the bladder epithelium and the possible role of the urothelium in urinary bladder function. lbirder@pitt.edu 412-383-7368 DeFranco, Donald Professor & Executive Vice Chair, Associate Dean for Medical Student ResearchGlucocorticoids and Neurodevelopment. Prostate cancer. dod1@pitt.edu 412-624-4259 Dutta, Partha Associate Professor Department of Medicine Division Cardiology duttapa@pitt.edu Greenamyre, J. Timothy Professor of Neurology 412-692-4920 Homanics, Gregg Professor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative MedicineApplication of transgenic technologies to investigate the molecular targets of ethanol and general anesthetics; production of animal models of human disease homanicsge@anes.upmc.edu 412-648-8172 Jackson, Edwin Distinguished Professor The physiology and pharmacology of endogenous modulators of growth, structure and function of cells in the heart, blood vessels and kidneys, with particular focus on adenosine, the renin-angiotensin system and estradiol metabolites. edj@pitt.edu 412-648-1505 Jacob, Tija Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Graduate Education GABA A receptor neuropharmacology and synapses, inhibition, neurodevelopment, mental health disorders. tcj11@pitt.edu 412-648-8136 Kanai, Anthony Professor, Medicine Roles of the urothelium, interstitial cells and afferent nerves in urinary incontinence--studied using optical mapping. Nitric oxide in radiation cystitis and the mitochondrial targeting of radioprotectants. ajk5@pitt.edu 412-624-1430 Levitan, Edwin Professor & Vice Chair for Research OperationsNeurotransmission, channels and signaling. elevitan@pitt.edu 412-648-9486 Palladino, Michael Professor & Vice Chair for Faculty AffairsCombined molecular and genetic approaches to identify key proteins required for neural maintenance with age and understand the role of these gene products in metabolic disease conditions mjp44@pitt.edu 412-383-5900 Tang, Pei Professor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Structural BiologyStructural biology/computational biology/protein drug interactions/molecular mechanism of general anesthesia. ptang@pitt.edu 412-383-9798 Xu, Yan Professor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Structural BiologyGene and stem cell therapy in brain ischemia membrane protein structure by NMR; biological basis of unconsciousness; molecular mechanisms of general anesthesia. xu2@pitt.edu 412-648-9922