Research
Research for the Department of Urology is performed in department the labs at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The research laboratory director is Dr. George Christ. Our staff consists of scientists from many different backgrounds who bring their own individual expertise to the research. The primary focus of the laboratory is the study of smooth muscle function as it relates to the genitourinary system. Erectile and bladder physiology have been the organ systems of primary interest in the laboratory.
Pathology of the urogenital system is undoubtedly accompanied by altered expression of specific genes. Our laboratory uses the techniques of molecular biology to relate changes at the molecular level in smooth muscle tissue to changes in the physiology. Using Patch-Clamp techniques, we investigate ion channels (Gap-junction and some major potassium channels (KCA, KATP, KV, etc)) activities and regulations and their modulation on smooth muscle tone derived from the organs of interest of animal models and human tissue. Our in vivo studies perform cystometric studies, intracavernous pressure measurements, and the harvesting and processing of various animal tissues. It also creates and maintains animal models to be used in various experiments in the laboratory (for example STZ-induced diabetic and partial urethral obstructed rats).
The staff consists of:
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George J. Christ, Ph.D.- Professor and Director of the Institute for Smooth Muscle Biology
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Peter Brink, Ph.D. - Adjunct Professor
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David Spray, Ph.D.- Adjunct Professor
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Kelvin P. Davies, Ph.D.- Assistant Professor and Director of Molecular Biology
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Hong-Zhan Wang, M.D.- Assistant Professor
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Philippe Frank, Ph.D.- Assistant Professor
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Mira Valcic- Lab Supervisor
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Weixin Zhao, M.D.- Instructor
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Moses Tar, M.D.- Research Associate
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Srini Kuppan- Research Technician
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David Kurlander- Research Technician
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Diane DiTrapani- Secretary
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Danielle Damiani- Administrator
Research Projects
Active Departmental Research Support
The Department of Urology has had continuous NIH-funded research support since Dr. Arnold Melman took over as Chairman in 1987. Some currently funded research projects include:
NIH-funded Basic Research
PO1: DK60037: Smooth Muscle Differential Tissue Function and Diabetes
RO1: DK55076: Molecular Studies of Experimental Diabetic Neuropathy
K01: DK067270: Regulation of Slo Splicing in the Urogenital System
The Role of Caveolins in Urogenital Physiology and their Function (Pending Approval)
Proteomic Approaches to Type I Diabetes Progression (Pending Approval)
Industry-Sponsored Research
Pfizer, Bristol-Meyers, Merck, Glaxo, Ardent
Biotechnology at AECOM
ION Channel Innovations, LLC
- Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Urogenital Disease
- Preclinical Studies of Maxi-K Gene Therapy for Treatment of Urinary Incontinence
Research Sponsored by Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Institute for Smooth Muscle Biology
Recent Publications (2003-Present)
- Christ GJ. Gene therapy treatments for erectile and bladder dysfunction. Curr Urol Report 5(1): 52-60, 2004.
- Christ GJ. Frontiers in gene therapy for erectile dysfunctions. Int J Impot Res 15(5): S33-S40, 2003.
- Christ GJ, Day NS, Day M, Zhao W, Persson Pandita RK, Andersson KE. Increased connexin 43-mediated intercellular communication in a rat model of bladder overactivity in vivo. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 284(5): R1241-R1248, 2003.
- Christ GJ. Membrane bound guanylyl cyclase as a potential molecular target for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. J Urol 169(5): 1923, 2003.
- Christ GJ, Lue T. Physiology and Biochemistry of Erections. Endocrine 23(1): 2004. (In progress)
- Melman A, Zhao W, Davies KP, Bakal R, Christ GJ. The successful long-term treatment of age related erectile dysfunction with hSlo cDNA in rats in vivo. J Urol 170(1): 285-290, 2003.
- Stothers L, Laher I, Christ GJ. A review of L-arginine- nitric oxide- guanylate cyclase pathway as a mediator of lower urinary tract physiology and symptoms. Can J Urolo. 10(5): 1971-1980, 2003.
- Woodman SE, Cheung MW, Tarr M, North AC, Schubert W, Lagaud G, Marks CB, Russell RG, Hassan GS, Factor SM, Christ GJ, Lisanti MP. Urogential alterations in aged male caveolin-1 knockout mice. J Urol 171(2 Pt. 1): 950-957, 2004.
