Lori A. Birder, PhD

Conceptual Schematic

THE THREE MOST SIGNIFICANT QUESTIONS THAT DEFINE YOUR RESEARCH PROGRAM:
Exploring the effect of aging and aging-related processes (such as changes in blood flow) on urothelial-related functional elements within the bladder wall.

Mechanisms by which chronic stress alters urothelial cell signaling resulting in augmented pain behavior.

To examine mechanisms by which urothelial cells function as mechano-sensors in the normal urinary bladder.

FIVE KEYWORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOUR AREAS OF INTEREST:
Urothelial sensory function;
transducer function;
mechano-reciprocity;
bioenergetics;
extracellular matrix

TECHNIQUES, MODELS, METHODS, ANALYTIC APPROACHES, ETC:
Primary cell culture; calcium imaging; transmitter release; mitochondrial function; molecular methods