Norman W. Weisbrodt, Ph.D.
1970, University of Michigan
UT-Houston Medical School
Integrative Biology and Pharmacology
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Norman W. Weisbrodt, Ph.D. 1970, University of Michigan UT-Houston Medical School |
Research Interests: Smooth muscle; gastrointestinal motility; intestinal adaptation
The overall goal of our research is to better understand the biology of gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Currently, we are concentrating our efforts on three problems. The first is to elucidate the events and mechanisms involved in the adaptation of intestinal smooth muscle to hypertrophic stimuli. We are particularly interested in the early events of this process and in the mediators involved. The second is to elucidate the mechanism(s) of the intestinal hypomotility that often occurs during the course of development of multiple organ failure. The possible involvement of nitric oxide is receiving particular attention. The third is to determine the biochemical and molecular changes in gallbladder smooth muscle prior to and during the development of cholesterol gallstones. In all of our studies, molecular, biochemical, structural, and functional techniques are utilized in order to provide an integrative approach.
A tutorial in my laboratory would provide experience in muscle mechanics, protein separation and quantification, mRNA relative abundance, and determination of protein phosphorylation.
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Lodato RF, Khan AR, Zembowicz MJ, Weisbrodt NW, Pressley TA, Li YF, Lodato JA, Zembowicz A, Moody FG (1999) Roles of IL-1 and TNF in the decreased ileal muscle contractility induced by lipopolysaccharide. Am. J. Physiol. 276:G1356-62.
Arya R, Grossie VB Jr, Weisbrodt NW, Lai M, Mailman D, Moody, F (2000) Temporal expression of tumor necrosis factor-a and nitric oxide synthase 2 in the rat intestine after endotoxin. Dig. Dis. Sci. 45:744-749.
Hassoun HT, Kone BC, Mercer DW, Moody FG, Weisbrodt NW, Moore FA (2001) Post-injury multiple organ failure: the role of the gut. Shock 15:1-10.
Bian K, Harari Y, Zhong M, Lai M, Castro G, Weisbrodt N, Murad F (2001) Down-regulation of inducible nitric-oxide synthase (NOS-2) during parasite-induced gut inflammation: A path to identify a selective NOS-2 inhibitor. Mol. Pharmacol. 59: 939-947.
Program Affiliation:
Program in Cell and Regulatory
Biology (Pharmacology and Physiology Tracks)