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Michael I. Kotlikoff

Dean

Primary Research Areas

  • cardiovascular & respiratory physiology
  • cellular & molecular physiology
  • physiological genomics

Graduate Fields

Research Focus

  • Molecular processes underlying excitation-contraction coupling, particularly in smooth muscle cells
  • Role of specific sarcoplasmic reticular calcium release channels and sarcolemmal ion channels in cellular excitation and relaxation
  • Gene targeting, identification of novel genes through genomics screens, patch clamp measurements of ion channel function, confocal and wide-field imaging, and protein biochemistry
  • Identify genes encoding channel proteins and relating signaling molecules involved in muscle biology and to determine the extent to which these genes are altered in specific disease processes

  • Study of the role of the ryanodine receptor complex in smooth muscle contraction

  • Combine genetics, molecular design, and optical technologies to advance the understanding of physiological processes

  • Use of gene trap methods to identify novel genes involved in muscle biology and the creation of transgenic mice to facilitate determination of their functions
  • Investigation of the role of specific sarcolemmal ion channels in muscle excitation, rythmicity, and relaxation using conditional gene targeting methods in mice

Educational Background

  • B.A., Literature, University of Pennsylvania, 1973
  • V.M.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1981
  • Ph.D., Physiology, Univ. of California at Davis, 1984

Research Grants

  • TRANSGENIC MICE FOR CONDITIONAL RECOMBINATION, FATE-MAPPING, AND CA2+ SIGNALING
  • IN VIVO CA2+ AND VOLTAGE IMAGING ON THE URINARY BLADDER
  • INTERFERONS MODULATE AIRWAY SMOOTH MUSCLE GROWTH
  • RNA APTAMERS TO GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN FOR CELL IMAGING