Sleep, Sedation and Anesthetic Sciences

Our research focuses on sleep and respiratory neurobiology, including sedative and anesthetic-induced respiratory and neural depression. The research approach is integrative and interdisciplinary, encompassing electrophysiology, neuropharmacology, cell biology, neuroanatomy, integrative neuroscience, respiratory physiology, and sophisticated in-vivo physiological studies unique to this laboratory. The studies also involve molecular biology and genetic manipulations of cells, receptors, ion channels and neurotransmitter systems in appropriate models. We assess normal function and the effects of models of disease on this function. The basic research resulting from this program is applicable to human medical conditions and will affect the treatment options for certain common sleep-related breathing problems and sleep disorders by identifying, testing and developing novel therapeutic approaches for sleep- and drug-induced respiratory depression.