Research Interest Groups

The PH2 training program is home to a world-class group of basic science and clinical researchers investigating all aspects of the autonomic nervous system, from the brain to the periphery. Research interests include autonomic control of blood pressure, cardiac function, respiration, temperature regulation, metabolism, and food intake.

This interest group attracts participants with diverse backgrounds including but not limited to synthetic organic chemists, microbiologists, molecular neuroscientists, electrophysiologists, endocrinologists, and molecular structure modelers. Current participants come from many departments at OHSU as well as the Department of Chemistry at Portland State University. All members are affiliated with the Program in Chemical Biology. What unifies individuals involved in the Chemical Biology focus group is the application of chemistry to questions of biomedical interest.

Members of this group focus on the molecular basis for the conduction and gating properties of channels and their function in an integrated setting. Interests range from structure-function studies of channels to the role of specific channels in excitability and responses to hormones and drugs.

Research is directed toward the identification of novel hormone systems, understanding the mechanism of actions of drugs and hormones, and the development of novel ligands that are prototype therapeutic agents. Interests range from molecular design of novel ligands to the investigation of cellular mechanisms of action of these compounds in cells and organisms.

This group focuses on the effects of steroids on the functions of the central nervous system. Interests include basic mechanisms of sex steroid action, behavioral and developmental neuroendocrinology and neuroprotection.