Research interests within the Department can be broadly divided into the areas of metabolism and membrane biology. Among the areas of investigation of membrane-related topics are investigations of the structure and mechanism of membrane transport proteins, the role of ion transporters in hypertension, secretory mechanisms for neurotransmitters, abnormal presentation of antigens in autoimmune diseases, and surface properties of blood cells. These investigations have provided insight into the causes of hypertension and Sjogren’s syndrome, also known as dry eye disease. Physical characteristics of the red blood cell membrane have been used to design new procedures to prevent agglutination of these cells.

The research programs of several members of the Department are concerned with the causes of diabetes mellitus. This disease is seen as a dysfunctional regulation of an integrated communication system that normally regulates the blood sugar concentration. Dysfunction of this system can be caused by failure of the pancreas to secrete insulin and/or failure of insulin to regulate energy metabolism. Aspects of this process are represented in the Department by studies of the biophysics of insulin release, the transport of insulin across capillaries, the effects of insulin on skeletal muscle, and the role of the brain in response to low blood sugar.

The Department of Physiology and Biophysics has contributed to the basic understanding of physiological process in the human body.

Areas of active research in the Department

• Endocrinology and metabolism, especially the causes of diabetes
• Signal transduction and molecular biological studies of insulin resistance
• Molecular mechanisms of fluid and electrolyte balance
• Structure and function of membrane transport proteins
• Mechanical and biophysical behavior of human blood cells in normal, chemically modified, aged, and pathologic states (e.g. sickle cell disease, diabetes)
• Hormonal regulation of tear secretion and autoimmune responses of lacrimal glands related to the disease of dry eye.