RESEARCH PROJECTS

Our research has been focused on the emerging concept that certain kinases (bioactive signaling mediators in the cell) can be redox sensitive, with their activity and regulatory function rapidly altered by local oxidant production. We’ve discovered that signaling via one of the heart’s master kinases, PKA, is particularly sensitive to the cellular redox state, with stress-induced oxidation of PKA leading to pronounced changes in intracellular calcium communication and improved cell adaptation and survival following ischemia. One of the major focuses of the lab now is to better understand the adaptive mechanisms underlying oxidized PKA's cardioprotective effects, and investigating whether this can be harnessed therapeutically to treat ischemic heart disease.