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Featured Faculty

Jerome Breslin I-3790-2012

Jerome Breslin, PhD

Professor, College of Medicine Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology
  • My research area of interest is inflammation, with emphasis on the mechanisms that underlie swelling of tissues, or edema. Our laboratory focuses on two phenomena: First, we aim to understand the molecular signaling pathways and effector molecules in endothelial cells that initiate, sustain, and regulate the increased microvascular permeability that accompanies inflammation. This is important for understanding how excess fluid can accumulate in tissues. Second, we are studying the molecular mechanisms that control the intrinsic pumping of lymphatic vessels, which contributes to removing excess fluids from tissues. Understanding how these processes work is important for developing better strategies for resuscitation of trauma patients, wound healing, and optimizing immune function.
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Thomas Taylor-Clark I-6148-2012

Thomas Taylor-Clark, PHD

Associate Chair for Research, College of Medicine Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology
  • Our interests lie in the role of nociceptive (defensive) sensory nerves in health and disease. Aberrant nociceptor stimulation contributes to unpleasant/debilitating sensations and inappropriate reflexes. Our focus is primarily on the sensory nerves of the airways. Activation of these nerves leads to cough, mucus secretion, bronchospasm, wheeze. In addition, activation of airway nerves contributes to autonomic regulatory control of the heart.
  • To gain understanding of these events we study the electrical excitability of sensory nerves, investigating the interaction of inflammation, oxidative stress and inhaled pollutants (e.g. particulate matter and ozone) on receptors and ion channels expressed on nociceptive sensory nerves. Using a combination of electrophysiological, imaging and molecular biological techniques we are able to study ion channel/receptor function and nerve activation at multiple levels, from single channels to single cells to intact tissue to preclinical models.
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Congratulations to Mr. John Lockhart!

We would like to congratulate Mr. John Lockhart, who has been awarded with the 2019 Keystone Symposia Scholarship and has also been invited to give a short talk about his submitted abstract entitled, “Effective Delivery of Therapeutic mRNA using Peptide-Based Nanoparticles.” This work was done in collaboration with the laboratories of Dr. Hua Pan and Dr. Samuel Wickline using a novel-based peptide nanoparticle system for oligonucleotide delivery. Mr. Lockhart is a Ph.D. candidate being mentored, by Dr. Hana Totary-Jain, who is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology. The Keystone Symposia will take place on April 7 – 10, 2019 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. We are very proud of Mr. Lockhart’s accomplishments - Congratulations!
Dr. Bibhu Mohanty - Tips on Heart Health
Surface TAS2R14-WT expression with DPD treatment in HEK293T cells

Articles

A Genome-Wide Association Study of Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy in African Americans
Plot of the odds of developing idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (a form of heart failure) from various genetic variations on chromosome 2. A variation in a calcium channel subunit (CACNB4) showed the greatest risk for developing the disease. The population is African-American, and the results are from a recent study published from the Heart Institute.

Modulation of LIN28B/Let-7 Signaling by Propranolol Contributes to Infantile Hemangioma Involution
Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common benign vascular neoplasms of infancy, characterized by a rapid growth phase followed by a spontaneous involution, or triggered by propranolol treatment by poorly understood mechanisms. LIN28/let-7 axis plays a central role in the regulation of stem cell self-renewal and tumorigenesis. However, the role of LIN28B/let-7 signaling in IH pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated.

USF Health Institute News

Tiny cargo carriers rich in c-Src protein contribute to disease progression
12/4/2019
New USF Health research on endothelial-derived microvesicles, using models of sepsis, may be useful for better diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory or infectious diseases A new preclinical study by the University of South Florida Health (USF Health) Morsani College of Medicine sheds light on how … [read more]
Dr. Sarah Yuan named Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science
11/26/2019
USF Health’s pathobiology expert Sarah Y. Yuan, PhD, is among nine USF researchers, and 450 from across the country, named new fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The honor, announced Nov. 26, is one of the most prestigious among academic researchers worldwide. … [read more]
Clinic integrates care and genetic research for patients with neuromuscular disorders
11/15/2019
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAWQcqqrnIs USF Health has established a Neurocardiogenetics Clinic focused on improving the quality of life for patients with hereditary neuromuscular disorders who are at risk for or already experiencing cardiac complications. Innovative genetic research is a central com … [read more]
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