The research in my laboratory focuses on the physical properties of molecules that bind as complementary pairs, and the physiological consequences of that binding. We use a wide range of different techniques to analyze complementary interactions, including capillary electrophoresis, muscle mechanics, enzyme kinetics, nuclear magnetic resonance and differential UV spectroscopy. Our analytical techniques also extend to theoretical calculations using diffusion models and catastrophe theory, used to assess state changes in biological systems. Our results have included defining new pathways of muscle energy utilization; a novel method for measuring dissociation constants; a highly sensitive method for measuring tissue metabolites using nanoliters of extract; quantitation of a wide range of molecular pair interactions; demonstration that membrane electric field dissociation of complementary complexes is molecular size dependent; measurement of the ascorbate dependence of catecholamine activity, including the underlying mechanism for the cardiovascular consequences of sympathomimetics such as ephedrine; and developing patents for new treatments for circulatory shock. We will continue applying present and future biophysical techniques to further our understanding of complex, molecular relationships in physiological systems.
