Dr. Janice L. Podolski

My research interests revolve around the physiology of the cells of blood vessels. In particular, the regulation of cellular structure and function during inflammation and wound healing. I have a strong interest in the actin cytoskeleton stemming from my post-doctoral experience, during which I developed a radioisotopic assay for monomeric actin and the pointed ends of actin filaments, and from my appreciation of this dynamic structure for normal cell function. I am currently studying endothelial cells, which line the inner surface of blood vessels and create an effective barrier to the outward movement of fluid and proteins. Recently, I have used fluorescence microscopy and immunocytochemical methods to study actin cytoskeletal reorganization in wounded endothelial cultures when perturbed with radiation or lipopolysaccharide, an endotoxin, and the protection of the cytoskeleton when the cells are pretreated with antioxidants. Similarly, I have used these methods to assess changes in the cytoskeleton and in the proteins of the cell-cell junctions of endothelial cells treated with inflammatory mediators and with agents known to protect the endothelium against inflammatory-mediated dysfunction. I have also used transmonolayer electrical resistance as a functional measure of endothelial barrier integrity in my studies related to inflammation and barrier protection. My research seeks to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate actin cytoskeletal organization and function in endothelial cells and the role of this structure in facilitating the barrier function of these cells. The long-term goal is to develop pharmaceutical interventions that will allow for control of endothelial barrier integrity under inflammatory conditions when unregulated edema formation can cause detrimental tissue injury.

I also have a Masters degree in nursing with a practice emphasis on peripheral vascular disease. Futher, I currently teach a pharmacology course to Audiology doctoral students.