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Douglas R. Pfeiffer, PhD
Professor
PhD – Wayne State University
Post Doctoral – University of Wisconsin
Research Interests
Our research programs are in the areas of bioenergetics, transport, and membrane biophysics. A general diffusion pore of the inner mitochondrial membrane is under investigation, as a structure that is central to mechanisms of cell death under conditions which promote necrosis and apoptosis. Under other conditions, this pore is thought to allow the elimination of mitochondria that contain DNA which has been damaged during aging. We also investigate ion-transporting antibiotics, called ionophores, which are utilized as research tools in cell biology, and growth promoting feed additives in agriculture. The latter applications are seen by us as a public health threat, given our recent discovery of a high Pb2+ transport activity by many of these compounds. Our methods and approaches emphasize spectroscopy, molecular biology, and those of traditional biochemistry.
Recent Publications
Crouser ED Gadd MD, Julian MW, Broekemeier KM, Robbins KA and Pfeiffer DR (2003). Quantitation of Cytochrome c Release from Rat Liver Mitochondria. Anal. Biochem. 317:67-75.
Crouser ED, Julian MW, Joshi MS, Bauer JA, Wewers MD, Hurt JM and Pfeiffer DR (2002). Cyclosporin A Ameliorates Mitochondrial Ultrastructural Injury in the Ileum during Acute Endotoxiemia. Crit. Care Med. 30:2722-2728
Hamidinia SA, Shimelis OI, Tan BO, Erdahl WL, Chapman CJ, Renkes GD, Taylor RW and Pfeiffer DR (2002). Monensin Mediates a Rapid and Highly Selective Transport of Pb2+: Possible Application of Monensin for the Treatment of Pb2+ Intoxication Transport. J. Biol. Chem. 277:38111-38120
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