Koh Lab

Mission

Our laboratory explores the functional roles of detrusor platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha immuno-positive (PDGFRα+) cells in spinal cord injury-induced overactive bladder, as well as novel mechanisms underlying the opening and closing of the pyloric sphincter in both health and disease.

Key areas of focus

  • Demonstrating apoptosis of detrusor PDGFRα+ cells in spinal cord injury (SCI) bladders.
  • Investigating the role of BDNF neurotrophin receptors in SCI-induced apoptosis of detrusor PDGFRα+ cells.
  • Preventing detrusor PDGFRα+ cell apoptosis to alleviate SCI-induced detrusor overactivity (DO).
  • Characterizing the basal excitability of the pyloric sphincter.
  • Determining the neural regulation of the pyloric sphincter.

Lab team

Sang Don Koh, MD, Ph.D., professor of Physiology and Cell Biology, holds overall responsibility for the oversight and implementation of the activities proposed in the above projects. Robert Corrigan, a Research Associate with 10 years of experience, conducts experiments on cells and tissues of visceral smooth muscle. He possesses a broad range of skills and demonstrated expertise in a variety of physiological techniques involving both tissue and whole-organ experiment

  • Sang Don Koh, MD, Ph.D.: Principal Investigator
  • Robert Corrigan: Research Associate

Notable research findings

  • Characterization of ion channels in colonic smooth muscle cells.
  • Characterization of two-pore K+ channels in colonic, uterine and bladder smooth muscle cells.
  • Characterization of Ion channels in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC).
  • Molecular and Functional Identification of PDGFRα+ cells in colon and bladder.
  • Mechanisms of colonic migrating motor complex.

Equipment, technology and techniques

  • Electrophysiology set-ups including patch and microelectrode recordings
  • In vivo and ex vivo cystometry