Research Areas

Cardiovascular Physiology

The function of the cardiovascular system is to provide blood flow to tissues in amounts adequate to meet the needs over a wide range of varying conditions. To accomplish this function, the human body has developed a system of pumps and distribution vessels of various types that provide adequate blood flow to provide cells with nutrients and remove waste products.

Members Involved

Sandra Davidge | Zam Kassiri | Gavin Oudit 


Cellular and Molecular Physiology

Cell Physiology is the study of how cells work, ranging from fundamental molecular and cellular processes to mechanisms that regulate complex developmental and physiological events. It also incorporates studies dealing with systems integration of cells and tissues in physiological and pathophysiological states.

Members Involved

Todd Alexander | Klaus Ballanyi | Robin Clugston | Xing-Zhen Chen | Emmanuelle CordatMaria Ioannou | Elaine Leslie | Jessica Yue


Endrocinology

Endrocinology is the study of the system of glands and other structures that elaborate internal secretions (hormones). These are released directly into the circulatory system, and also elaborate paracrine, autocrine, and possibly intracrine regulators that are not released to the blood stream, all of which influence metabolism and other body processes. It includes organs such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenal glands, gonads, pancreas, paraganglia, and pineal body; the intestines and the lung also secrete substances that have hormonal functions

Members Involved

Cathy Chan | Jessica Yue


Fetal/Neonatal Physiology

Fetal: pertaining to an unborn animal, or fetus. Neonatal: pertaining to the first four weeks after birth. Physiology: the biological study of the functions of living organisms and their parts.

Members Involved

Klaus Ballanyi | Robin Clugston | Sandra Davidge | Gregory Funk | Simon Gosgnach | David Olson | Silvia Pagliardini


Membrane Biophysics and Transport Physiology

Membrane biophysics is the study of biological membranes using physical, computational, mathematical, and biophysical methods. Exchange of materials and information between a living cell and its environment is mediated and regulated by membrane proteins. These proteins are involved in the regulation of electrical activity of the cell, transport of water and water soluble materials across the membrane, and production of ATP. Membrane receptors are the sites for detection informational signals, such as neurotransmitters and hormones, light, and even mechanical stress.

Members Involved

Todd Alexander | Klaus Ballanyi | Joe Casey | Xing-Zhen ChenEmmanuelle Cordat | Elaine Leslie 


Cellular and Systems Neurophysiology

Neurophysiology is the study of the nervous system, which coordinates the activity of the muscles, monitors the organs, constructs and also stops input from the senses, and initiates actions in animals. Prominent parts of a nervous system include neurons and nerves, which are used in coordination. All parts of the nervous system are made of nervous tissue. The classification of the nervous system is mostly similar in humans as in other vertebrates.

 

Members Involved

Klaus Ballanyi | Clayton Dickson | Gregory Funk | Simon Gosgnach | Jesse Jackson | Silvia Pagliardini | Jessica Yue


Renal Physiology

Renal physiology is the study of the physiology of the kidneys. The primary function of the kidney is to maintain homeostasis in the extracellular environment, which includes: the regulation of sodium balance and extracellular fluid volume and its all important sub-compartment, the blood volume; the regulation of water balance and body fluid osmolarity; the regulation of body fluid hydrogen ion concentration; the regulation of electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, etc; the conservation of essential nutrients such as glucose and amino acids; the excretion of metabolic end products and foreign matter; the secretion of the hormones, renin, 1,25-dihydroxyvitaminD3 and erythropoietin.

Members Involved

Todd Alexander | Branko Braam | Xing-Zhen Chen | Emmanuelle Cordat


Respiratory Physiology

Respiratory physiology studies processes associated with
breathing in particular, mechanisms that control breathing behavior and gas exchange.

Members Involved

Klaus Ballanyi | Gregory FunkDavid Olson | Silvia Pagliardini


Vision

Members Involved

Joe Casey