Kenneth
Blumenthal, PhD, is an expert in protein structures. He
researches structure-function relationships in ion channels using
naturally occurring toxins as probes of ion transport and gating
processes. One of his goals is to design drugs directed at the
target channel.
Michael
Garrick, PhD, identified the first protein essential for normal
intestinal iron absorption and the first mammalian iron transporter
to be characterized at the molecular level. His work provides a
major step forward in the understanding of iron metabolism.
Richard Gronostajski, PhD, recently received
$3.5 million from the Empire State Stem Cell Board to establish a
Western New York Stem Cell Culture and Analysis Center.
Daniel
Kosman, PhD, studies how organisms acquire and metabolize iron
and copper, intrinsically toxic metals essential to cellular
respiration and oxygen transport. One of his goals is to develop
antifungal drugs to treat infections in humans.
Norma
Nowak, PhD, studies global comparative genomics and
differential gene expression analyses. She contributed to the
creation of the BAC libraries used to sequence the human
genome.
Gabriela
Popescu, PhD, is studying NMDA receptors in the brain, which
are involved in synaptic development, plasticity, memory and
learning, as well as in pathologies such as stroke,
neurodegeneration, chronic pain, addiction, schizophrenia and
epilepsy.