Our laboratory is interested in intracellular signaling pathways regulating cellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Intracellular Ca2+ is important in many physiological and pathological conditions, including: hormonal actions, fertilization, and cell death. We combine a molecular cellular approach, with physiological focus. We have extensively characterized intracellular signaling pathways. In particular our focus is on the newly discovered second messengers NAADP and cADPR. This nucleotides are produced in cells in response to physiological stimulus and produce a rise in intracellular Ca2+ levels. We had studied several aspects of this signaling pathways, including the mechanism of synthesis and degradation of this compounds and their mechanism of Ca2+ channel activation. Recently, we have been extending our research focus to specific physiological situations including: pregnancy, airway hyperreactivity, vascular physiology, and cardiac physiology. The second messenger studied in our laboratory are ubiquitous and appear to play a role in all this phenomena.

We use a variety of techniques including, cell culture, molecular biology, animal studies, cell imaging, and also of biochemical techniques.

Specific projects: 1) Characterization of the NAADP signaling pathway. 2) Role of the CD38-cADPR system on the preparation of myometrium for labor. 3) Role of the CD38-cADPR signaling on Renal protection. 4) Role of the CD38-cADPR signaling pathway in smooth muscle cells.