Scientific interests

• Calcium signaling in airway smooth muscle cells.
• Adrenergic signaling in airway smooth muscle cells
• Lung imaging

Research activities

Calcium signaling in airway smooth muscle cells. Contraction of airway smooth muscle, an important cause of airway obstruction in asthma, is initiated by the rapid release of calcium ions from calcium stores of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Using calcium dyes and laser-based imaging of single cells, our recent work has focused on the observation that interleukin-4 (IL-4) releases calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We aim to understand the mechanisms underlying this effect of IL-4 on calcium signaling and the functional consequences this has on cell contractility.

Other Titles

Division Chief, Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine
Medical Director, Pulmonary Diagnostic Laboratories

Education

Medical School: Harvard Medical School, 1975-79
Medical Residency:Washington University, Barnes Hospital, 1979-82
Pulmonary Fellowship: UCSF, 1982-85

Bibliography