Research Interests:
Molecular & cellular mechanisms of myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure Adrenergic receptors, signaling, and drug development
Summary:
Dr. Simpson is working to develop new drugs to treat heart failure, one of the most common causes of hospitalization and death in the USA and Western World. He has recently identified a promising drug target, alpha-1-adrenergic receptors, and is working to translate this into clinical use.
Research Interests:
Cardioprotection
Summary:
Our lab is devoted to studying cardioprotection. We employ isolated cells and hearts subjected to oxygen deprivation that simulate a heart attack. We then use promising drugs that salvage heart muscle during and after a heart attack, confirm that they are efficacious, and then study their mechanism of action.
Research Interests:
Regulation of lung and airway function by mast cell, leukocyte and epithelial proteases
Summary:
The Caughey lab is interested in understanding how protein-cleaving enzymes of mast cells, white blood cells, and cells lining the airway contribute to inflammation, host defense, tissue remodeling and barrier function in the lung. These studies relate to clinical problems in asthma, cystic fibrosis, lung transplantation and pneumonia.