Directory > Faculty
Patrick F. Dillon, Ph.D.
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Professor,
College of Natural Science
Smooth muscle physiology; protein-protein
interactions.
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Area
of Research Interest [PDF]
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.
PUBLICATIONS:
P.F. Dillon, R.S. Root-Bernstein, P.R. Sears, and L.K. Olson.
Natural Electrophoresis of Norepinephrine and Ascorbic Acid. Biophysical
Journal 79:370-376, 2000
P.F. Dillon. Influence of Cellular Energy Metabolism on Contractions
of Porcine Carotid Artery Smooth Muscle. Journal of Vascular Research
37: 532-539, 2000
P.F. Dillon. Physiological Restrictions in the Regulation of
Smooth Muscle Contraction. J. Physiol. (London), 537: 329, 2001
P.F. Dillon, R. S. Root-Bernstein and C. M. Lieder. Anti-Oxidant
Independent Ascorbate Enhancement of Catecholamine-Induced Contractions
of Vascular Smooth Muscle. AJP Heart and Circulatory 286: H2353-H2360,
2004
Other Publications
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