Summary
I have made extensive use of cultured adrenal chromaffin cells in my research, initially focusing on the mechanisms by which catecholamine synthesis is maintained under conditions of sustained cell stimulation, which serves as a way to mimic what occurs in vivo during chronic stress. In more recent years, my research interests have focused on understanding the interaction of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) with chromaffin cells. The overall goal is to lay the foundation for establishing EMF approaches for probing and manipulating cellular function that can be exploited and transitioned into novel therapeutic applications for non-invasive or minimally-invasive remote targeting of nerves, tissues and organs. Of all the non-thermal EMF approaches explored, nanosecond electric pulses have been found to elicit the most robust and reproducible stimulation of chromaffin cells without causing deleterious effects. Since nanosecond-electropulse technology has the most promise for translating into a clinical application, it continues to be actively studied in my laboratory, with our approach now including investigations of effects on chromaffin cells in situ.
Education
- B.S., Biology, Fordham University, Bronx, New York,
- M.S., Pharmacology, New York University, New York City
- Ph.D., Pharmacology, New York University, New York City