Faculty Research Interests

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School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Faculty Research Interests

Being a leader in the worlds of pharmacy and pharmaceutical science means much more than merely doing lab work or publishing papers—it requires a passion for research and new ideas. Outside of the classroom, school faculty members assume their roles as world-class researchers working in areas such as antiretroviral therapies, HIV pharmacology, and cardiovascular pharmcotherapy. As ambitious scientists, our faculty members are always pushing the limits of science and technology, making them better-informed educators in the process.

Individual Faculty Summaries

Pharmaceutical Sciences:

Sathyamangalam Balasubramanian, Ph.D.

• Investigate Hemophilia A, an inherited bleeding disorder caused by deficiency of factor VIII.
• Develop a lipid based delivery vehicle for rAHF to overcome the immune response, which is one of the limitations of current therapeutic approaches with this compound.
• Characterize the molecular topology, pharmacokinetic behavior and immune response of this novel, rationally developed rAHF using biophysical, pharmaceutical and immnopharmacological studies.
• Physicochemical and analytical methods of assessing protein structure, function, and stability in developing improved dosage forms.

Joseph P. Balthasar, Ph.D.

• The utilization of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses and mathematical modeling to develop and evaluate rational approaches of optimizing drug therapy.

1. A main objective of our research is to improve the safety and efficacy of ovarian cancer chemotherapy. Two main strategies are under investigation.
   • Develop mathematical models capable of characterizing the tremendous protocol-dependencies often observed in relationships between chemotherapeutic dosing and selectivity. Computer simulations are then utilized to predict optimal dosing strategies for the treatment of individuals.
   • Utilizes anti-drug antibodies to alter the distribution and elimination kinetics of chemotherapeutics as a means to provide targeted drug therapy of peritoneal metastases of ovarian cancer.
   • Our approach combines intraperitoneal administration of antineoplastic agents with systemic administration of anti-drug antibodies. The presence of anti-drug antibodies in the systemic circulation leads to rapid binding of drug diffusing out of the peritoneum and entering the blood, thereby reducing the extravascular distribution of the chemotherapeutic.
2. A second focus of is the design and evaluation of new therapies for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
   • The aims of our current work are: (a) to develop and validate animal models of ITP, (b) to utilize pharmacokinetic / pharmacodynamic modeling as a means of investigating possible mechanisms of action of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin, (an effective, yet unfeasible, treatment of chronic ITP), (c) to develop and evaluate an immunoadsorptive bioreactor that will efficiently eliminate pathogenic anti-platelet antibodies, and (d) to develop and evaluate a new therapies designed to efficiently block pathways of immune-mediated platelet destruction.

Kathleen MK Boje, Ph.D.

Research Interests include:

• Neuroinflammatory Brain Diseases.  Understand the role of neuroinflammatory processes in the progression of chronic neurodegenerative diseases.  Since inflammatory processes are a common feature of many neurological diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, HIV-1 dementia, cerebral ischemia, brain tumors and meningitis), an enhanced knowledge of inflammatory mediators and their detrimental effects on the central nervous system provides opportunities for the design of new pharmaceutical approaches in the management of neurological diseases.
• Drug transport across the blood-brain barrier. Mechanisms of drug transport across the blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers.  These barriers hinder the entry of many drugs, and typically it is only highly lipophilic drugs that gain access to brain tissue via passive diffusion across the barriers.  Consequently, many lead drug candidates are disqualified from further development because of poor permeability across the blood-brain barrier.  Understanding brain transport processes with the goal of identifying methods that enhance drug delivery across brain barriers.
• N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors.  Explore the pharmacologic modulation of the functional activity and expression of brain N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA). Understanding of the neuropharmacology of NMDA receptors may lead to the development of new drugs for disease management.

Javier Blanco, Ph..D.

• Research focuses on the pharmacogenomics of the treatment and management of myeloid malignancies and other cancers.

Daniel A. Brazeau, Ph.D.

Research Interests include:

• Pharmaceutical Genetics Laboratory (PGL), a facility that provides extensive training and research support for a wide array of molecular genetic techniques to assist researchers in addressing a broad range of questions including gene expression, bioinformatics and genotyping.  The laboratory has the necessary equipment and expertise to conduct a broad spectrum of techniques in molecular biology including:
• Genotyping
  Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP’s)
  Multilocus fingerprinting (AFLP’s,ISSR’s)
  Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP’s)
  Microsatellites
• Gene Expression Studies
  mRNA Differential Display
  Northern analysis
  Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE)
  DNA Microarrays
  Real-time PCR

Ho-Leung Fung, Ph.D.

• Long-standing interests in the PK/PD of nitric oxide donors and nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, with particular concern regarding mechanisms of tolerance.
• Toxicokinetics and vasodilatory effects of inhalant nitrites are affected by repeated exposure
• Inhalant nitrites alter the regulation of angiogenesis genes, and this effect is governed by several factors, e.g., presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), route of administration, and the tissues' oxidative state
• Repeated nitrite inhalations cause significant changes in the expression and activities of major hepatic detoxifying enzymes such as cytochrome P450s, glutathione-S-transferases.

William Jusko, Ph.D.

• Theoretical, basic, and clinical aspects of the PK/PD of immunosuppressive agents including corticosteroids, sirolimus, and tacrolimus.
• Pharmacogenomics of diverse effects of corticosteroids and the development of models of receptor/gene-mediated responses.
• Mechanism-based PK/PD models and computational methods describing the action of various drugs including PK/PD models of hematopoiesis characterizing stimulatory effects of growth factors and cytotoxicity of anticancer agents.
• Development of a compendium with comparison of the array of relevant mechanism-based PK/PD models
• Development of indirect response models with a precursor compartment including the occurrence of feedback alterations; evolution of extended indirect lifespan models for application to natural cell responses including effects such as bone marrow stimulation and/or cytotoxicity
• Detailed characterization of nonlinear and time-dependent transduction models which may be applied to numerous membrane receptor (e.g., G-protein) mediated responses.

Marilyn E. Morris, Ph.D.

Research interests lie in the areas of drug transport and metabolism.

• Multidrug resistance in breast cancer. Discovery of new classes of compounds useful in reversing multidrug resistance (MDR) to cancer chemotherapeutic agents has progressed.  One of the main causes of MDR in cancers is due to the overexpression of the efflux transport proteins, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein (MRP1).  Evaluating various dietary components, organic isothiocyanates and flavonoids, for their effects on P-gp- and MRP1-mediated transport and on the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents.  Evaluation of a new series of dihydropyridine and pyridine compounds as MDR inhibitors. 
• Regulation of renal sulfate transport. Characterization of sulfate renal reabsorption and regulation of sulfate homeostasis.  Characterization of sulfate renal transport in humans and on the regulation of sodium/sulfate co-transport.
• Identify new and nontoxic multidrug reversal agents that will result in decreased treatment failure and death in breast cancer.

Murali Ramanathan, Ph.D.

• Treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory-demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that affects over 1 million patients worldwide.
• Ongoing research includes work on the following patient-centered MS projects:
• Molecular mechanisms of disease and treatment effects in MS and other demyelinating diseases
• Genomics of non-responsiveness and Therapy optimization
• Gene expression profiling and proteomics
• Mathematical models for pharmacogenomics, signal transduction processes and immunomodulatory protein networks

Jerome Schentag, Pharm.D.

• Utilizing flow cytometry to assess the sensitivity of cancer cells to diverse drugs as a means of anticipating efficacy in patients.
• Antimicrobial resistance

Robert Straubinger, Ph.D.

• Utilizes liposomes and other carrier techniques to improve the solubility and delivery of taxol and other poorly-soluble anticancer agents.
• Methods of improving the delivery and efficacy of anticancer drugs such as taxol.
• Research interests center on the use of drug carriers such as liposomes to improve the therapy of diseases that include ovarian cancer and opportunistic infections associated with AIDS.
• Intracellular fate of liposome drug carriers and on the mechanisms by which infectious organisms alter the intracellular traffic of membrane vesicles and evade host defenses.

General Department Overview: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

This area has been the premier strength of the Department as built by the long-term leadership of Dr. Gerhard Levy, now retired. Dr. William J. Jusko has interests in theoretical, basic, and clinical aspects of the PK/PD of immunosuppressive agents including corticosteroids, sirolimus, and tacrolimus. With Dr. Richard Almon, he investigates the pharmacogenomics of diverse effects of corticosteroids and has evolved advanced models of receptor/gene-mediated responses.  With Dr. Wojciech Krzyzanski, Dr. Jusko has developed mechanism-based PK/PD models and computational methods describing the action of various drugs.  Dr. Krzyzanski has particular interest in PK/PD models of hematopoiesis characterizing stimulatory effects of growth factors and cytotoxicity of anticancer agents.

Dr. Ho-Leung Fung has long-standing interests in the PK/PD of nitric oxide donors and nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, with particular concern regarding mechanisms of tolerance.  Dr. Marilyn Morris examines mechanisms of hepatic transport and metabolism with special interest in sulfate conjugation.  Dr. Jerome J. Schentag has characterized the effects of acute and chronic diseases on the PK/PD of antibiotics and cardiovascular agents.  Dr. Kathleen Boje evaluates mechanisms of CNS drug transport and effects on neuroinflammatory processes.  Dr. Joseph Balthasar assesses the kinetics of monoclonal antibodies and their role in altering distribution of anticancer drugs and use in treatment of autoimmune disorders.  Dr. Gayle Brazeau evaluates absorption, pain responses,  and toxicity of various agents following intramuscular administration with various excipients.

Specialty courses in PK/PD Modeling and in Computational Methods in Modeling are offered biannually for participants from the drug industry, FDA, and other outside institutes.  The Department maintains an international reputation in the area of

PK/PD modeling and our graduates are eagerly sought for employment.

Cancer Therapeutics

Dr. Robert Straubinger examines methods of improving the delivery and efficacy of anticancer drugs such as taxol.  Dr. Balthasar utilizes antibodies to reduce systemic toxicity of drugs with potential use in treatment of ovarian cancer.  Dr. Morris is evaluating the role of dietary constituents in altering drug transport and efficacy in cancer cells.  Dr. Jerome Schentag is utilizing flow cytometry to assess the sensitivity of cancer cells to diverse drugs as a means of anticipating efficacy in patients.  Dr. Wojciech Krzyzanski is evaluating the role of different treatment regimens of erythropoeitin in offsetting the bone marrow suppression produced by various drugs used in treatment of leukemia. 

Bioanalysis

Dr. Sathyamangalam Balasubramanian with his background in biophysics utilizes diverse physicochemical and analytical methods of assessing protein structure, function, and stability in developing improved dosage forms. Dr. Murali Ramanathan has expertise in quantitative and qualitative uses of flow cytometry in immunology.  Drs. Daniel Brazeau and Richard Almon provide laboratory resources for an array of molecular biological methods needed in pharmacogenomics research.  Several faculty members utilize the LC/MS/MS equipment in the Instrumentation Laboratory directed by Dr. Straubinger. Dr. Walter Conway (emeritus) remains a resource for chromatographic methods of seperation and analysis of drugs and metabolites. Several labs employ techniques of cell culture and the Department has diverse types of equipment for counting radioactivity in biological systems.   Research courses in Cell Culture, Molecular Biology Techniques, and Animal Surgery are offered by Departmental faculty and staff.

Drug Delivery

Dr. Straubinger utilizes liposomes and other carrier techniques to improve the solubility and delivery of taxol and other poorly-soluble anticancer agents.  Dr. Gayle Brazeau seeks improved excipients to reduce damage from intramuscular administration of drugs and develops methods of formulation of long-acting parenterals. Dr. Ramanathan evaluates structural and pharmaceutical aspects of oligonucleotide drug delivery to the cell nucleus.   Dr. Balusubramanian seeks optimal formulations of various proteins to maximize stability and efficacy.  Dr. Jusko utilizes mathematical models of drug action to determine optimal dosage regimens for corticosteroids and diverse drugs.  Dr. Fung seeks methods of maximizing the formulation stability and delivery of organic nitrates for treatment of various cardiovascular disorders. 

Pharmacogenomics

Drs. Jusko and Almon have characterized the receptor/gene-mediated effects of corticosteroids on hepatic and muscle enzymes and tissue responses and have evolved advanced PK/PD models for cascade-type processes.  Dr. Daniel Brazeau has established a Pharmaceutical Genetics Laboratory as an analytical and training resource for the University.  Dr. Straubinger is utilizing microarray analysis to identify genetic targets for anticancer drugs.  Dr. Ramanathan is seeking genetic differences between responders and nonresponders to drug therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis.  Dr. Fung is characterizing genetic causes of the development of tolerance to organic nitrates. The Department is evolving considerable expertise in the analytical, computational, statistical, pharmacodynamic, and bioinformatic aspects of pharmacogenomics as related to diverse specialty areas of drug therapy research.

Summary: The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences conducts innovative experimental, in vitro, animal and clinical studies to study pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and pharmacogenomic aspects of drug research.

Individual Faculty Summaries

Pharmacy Practice

Edward M. Bednarczyk, Pharm.D.

Research interests include cardiovascular pharmacology and the application of positron emission tomography (PET) to the drug development process. Conducts collaborative research with the Departments of Nuclear Medicine and Neurology in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and is based at the Buffalo Veterans Services Network.

• Measurement of cerebral blood flow in migraine headache,a disorder that effects 10% of the US population. Through the measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in migraine headache, as well as measurement of the response of CBF to migraine therapy, experimental models of migraine pharmacotherapeutics can be developed.

Labeling of drugs with commonly used PET radionuclides such as C-11, or F-18. The ubiquitous nature of these nuclides allows for creation of labeled drugs nearly identical to their unlabelled counterparts.

• A commonly used inhaled steroid as it deposits in the airways has been utilized to explain the duration of action seen with this drug.
• Assessment of drug toxicity using PET to measure drug effects on brain glucose utilization. PET can be use to measure brain glucose uptake as a means of supporting the diagnosis of numerous disorders including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and seizure disorders. These diseases produce characteristic reductions in brain metabolism.
• This same technique is being employed to investigate drug effects on brain metabolism, particularly those drugs with either particularly severe toxicities (such as seizures) or which are used in patients who might be particularly susceptible to these toxicities.

Terrance J. Bellnier, RPh, MPA

Professor Bellnier’s research interests are in the areas of pharmacotherapy of mental health disorders and geriatric psychopharmacotherapy. Recent developments include the initiation of a ePsychopharmacotherapy Network including collaborative programs with the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, VA Psychiatry Service, UB Department of Psychiatry, Viahealth Community Mental Health Center and the University of Rochester Department of Psychiatry.

Clinical trials examining pharmacoeconomics, drug efficacy, safety, and side effect management of psychotropics including:

• Multicenter Evaluation of Cost Effectiveness and Functional Outcome of Olanzapine vs Risperidone and Conventional Antipsychotics in Schizophrenics.
• Efficacy and Safety of Olanzapine in Risperidone Resistant Treatment Refractory Schizophrenics.
• Efficacy and Tolerability of Atropine Mouthwash in Treating Clozapine-Induced Sialorrhea.
• Efficacy of Olanzapine in comorbid Depression in Schizophrenia vs Ziprasidone.
• Effectiveness of a Non-Pharmacologic Weight Reduction Program in Severe and Persistently Mentally Ill.
• Co-morbidity of Physical Illness and Cost of Treatment in the Severe and Persistently Mentally Ill.
• Cost Effectiveness of Once Weekly Fluoxetine in a Long term Care Setting.
• Retrospective Database Analysis of Major Depression, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: Cost of Treatment, Co-morbid physical illness, and Effectiveness.
• Dosage Equivalence of Olanzapine, Risperidone, Quetiapine and Haloperidol in Agitated Dementia.

Gayle A. Brazeau, Ph.D.

Research focus includes investigating the interactions of drugs, molecules and diseases with skeletal muscle from a perspective of characterizing and understanding the mechanisms responsible for tissue damage and/or pain.

There are three types of projects that are being investigated in the laboratory.

• Mechanisms of tissue damage and/or pain associated with components in parenteral formulations. This work is conducted using a variety of  experimental techniques ranging from cell culture to isolated tissues to whole animal studies. In related studies, we have been involved with the development of in situ formulations that cause minimal tissue damage and can provide long-term drug delivery. Elucidating the mechanisms responsible for pain upon injection. The overall goal is to investigate the link between tissue damage with pain upon injection and to develop excipients or drugs that minimize or eliminate pain or tissue damage upon injection.
• Underlying mechanisms responsible for alcoholic myopathy. Alcoholic myopathy and/or cardiomyopathy is known to occur in 1/3 to 2/3 of those who ingest alcohol on a chronic basis. An understanding of these mechanisms can be used as a basis to develop therapeutic approaches to minimize these toxic effects in cardiac or skeletal muscle.
• Mechanisms associated with increased susceptibility to muscle and cardiac damage and decreased muscle performance associated with reduced estrogen levels seen in post-menopausal women and in aging. These studies have shown beneficial effects of estrogen, but the mechanisms, either a membrane or receptor mediated, are not clearly elucidated. Alcoholic myopathy and the potential beneficial effects of estrogen on muscle are investigated using our available animal models.

Robert DiCenzo, Pharm. D.

• Collaborates with the Infectious Diseases Unit, The Department of Neurology and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to conduct clinical research in the pharmacology and drug interactions of antiretrovirals, antiinfectives and herbal remedies.
• Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Drug concentrations in the blood to better predict a patient’s exposure to antiretroviral therapy and to adjust the dosage regimen to achieve a predetermined target of exposure.
• Population pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis to better understand the relationship between drug exposure and efficacy or toxicity. In order to make use of population analysis in the clinical setting, optimized sampling strategies are examined to accumulate useful PK information from the least number of blood samples. Statistical and modeling analyses to determine optimal sampling strategies are developed.
• Adaptive feedback control including estimates of PK parameters in a population to determine individual drug concentrations and adjust a drug regimens to achieve targeted concentration ranges. Initial studies are in progress in HIV-infected adults receiving protease inhibitors.
• Potential interactions between herbal products and antiretrovirals.

Alan Forrest, Pharm.D.

Dr. Forrest is the Director of the Pharmacometrics Study Unit within the Pharmacotherapy Research Center. The pharmacometrics unit conducts translational pharmacology research employing in vitro systems to simulate and optimize Phase I clinical trial design.

• Development of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models to optimize data interpretation.
• Develop pre-clinical models for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic model building.
• Design and conduct clinical trials that generate data to implement antimicrobial pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling
• Collaborate on clinical trials to examine cancer chemotherapy regimens and outcomes to apply pharmacometric analyses.
• The Pharmacometrics Study Unit also collaborates with faculty in the development of grant applications, data analysis and PK-PD modeling to optimize the interpretation of clinical trials data. These activities are integrated with Post-Doctoral fellowship programs in drug development recently developed with Novartis and Pfizer.

Fran Gengo, Pharm.D.

Dr. Gengo is a faculty member based at the Dent Neurologic Institute with a established practice in neuropharmacology and a clinical research interest in PK-PD of neuroactive compunds.

• Ethanol Pharmacology: Conducts clinical studies to examine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models of ethanol pharmacologic effects.
• Headache: Clinical management models for headache pharmacotherapy.
• Alzheimer’s: Clinical management models for Alzheimer’s pharmacotherapy.

Gene Morse, Pharm. D.

Dr. Morse has a long-standing interests in the area of antiretroviral pharmacology. As Director of the Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Pharmacology Support Laboratory and the Core Analytical Laboratory of the Pharmacotherapy Research Center, new analytical techniques are guided in support of faculty research interests. Specific areas include:

• Drug interactions between protease inhibitors and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
• Therapeutic drug monitoring of antiretrovirals
• Integrating HIV resistance tests with therapeutic drug monitoring of antiretrovirals.
• Intracellular antiviral quatitation
• Phase I trials of antiretrovirals.
• Drug interactions between antiretrovirals and concurrent medications including methadone, statins, hormone contraceptives, benzodiazepines and antifungals.
• ePharmacotherapy applications to disease state management.

Joseph Paladino, Pharm.D.

• Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of antimicrobial therapy for pneumonia and geriatric therapy
• Clinical trails of developmental antibacterial agents

Nicole Paolini, Pharm.D.

• Management of diabetes in a community pharmacy practice setting.
• Innovative approaches to the pharmacotherapy of chronic diseases.
• Alternative practice models focused on patient education and medication adherence

Mary Pasko, Pharm.D.

• Antimicrobial pharmacotherapy
• Alternative educational models for acute care pharmacotherapy

Judianne Slish, Pharm.D.

Dr. Slish is a clinical faculty member at the Erie County Medical Center practicing in infectious Diseases, HIV and internal medicine pharmacotherapy. Research interests include:

• Antiretroviral therapeutic drug monitoring
• PK-PD aspects of HIV therapy in patients with hepatitis B/C.

Kathleen M. Tornatore, Pharm.D.

Research interests include:

• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of immunosuppressive agents during renal transplantation. Pharmacokinetics and dynamics of glucocorticoids with specific emphasis on the impact of the factors of gender, race, acute rejection, time post-transplant, immunologic response and chronic adverse effects in the renal transplant population.
• Pharmacogenomic factors in response and toxicity during chronic immunosuppression
• Innovative analytical approaches to combination immunosuppressive regimens
• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of newer immunosuppressive regimens and their relationship to chronic toxicities.
• Clinical trials to examine rapid steroid withdrawal after renal allograft transplantation.

Robert Wahler, Pharm.D.

Research interests include:

• Geriatric pharmacotherapy and long-term care pharmacy practice. 
• Focus on the benefits of and barriers to appropriate pharmacotherapy in the elderly patient.  Emphasis is placed upon developing evidence-based treatment protocols for chronic disease states and evaluating these protocols for clinical and economic outcomes.
• Pain management in hospice patients.
• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the elderly patient.  This may include general changes as well as specific changes in certain drugs.
• Application of technology in the experiential training of Doctor of Pharmacy candidates.  The use of personal digital assistants by candidates on clinical rotations will be evaluated for ease of use, economy of time and data capture.

General Research Interests

The Department of Pharmacy Practice conducts clinical research under the research umbrella of the Pharmacotherapy Research Center in a number of patient care environments including adult medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, nephrology, transplantation, infectious diseases, HIV, oncology, neurology and psychiatry. Within these areas clinical pharmacology research focuses on Phase I trials, drug-drug interactions, drug-nutrient interactions, factors influencing drug metabolism, pharmacogenetics, and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Clinical trials integrating pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are conducted, many times in collaboration within the Pharmacometrics Study Unit within the department. Innivative clinical trial design, data analyses and pharmacodynamic modeling complement the clinical studies conducted within the department.

The department has developed a Core Analytical Laboratory (CAL) capable of developing innovative drug assays methods for all types of pharmaceutical studies. The CAL has also developed analytical capabilities to determine “drug metabolism phenotyping” to study the degree of P450 isoform activity within research subjects. The CAL is integrated with a growing Translational Pharmacology Laboratory designed to examine innovative approaches to:

• Measuring drugs in biomatrices
• Developing “multiple drug” assays to support clinical trials of combination therapy regimens
• Examining innovative approaches to plasma protein binding measurements.
• Determining intracellular drug concentrations
• Studying extracellular-intracellular relationships
• Multi-“Biomarker” phenotyping assays
• Examine plasma and cellular concentrations with hollowfiber models to varying simulate  varying drug exposure, influence on intracellular drug concentrations and pharmacodynamic effects.
• Microdialysis techniques to measure extracellular drug concentration during clinical trials.
• Genotyping for pharmacologically relevant polymorphisms
• Experiments to examine gene expression, mRNA, membrane transporter expression during clinical trials.
• In silico modeling of clinical trial design based on the experimental results from the above techniques to predict Phase I dosing approaches and patient enrollment, drug-drug interactions and PK-PD relationships.

The PRC also utilizes other shared facilities within the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences including the LC-MS-MS facility and the Pharmaceutical genetics Laboratory.

The Department operates a Research Pharmacy and Compounding laboratory that supports clinical trials. Placebo preparation, blinding and innovative dosage formulations are available to facilitate clinical protocols. Pharmacoeconomic trials and data analysis are also conducted by faculty within the PRC.

Summary: The Pharmacy Practice faculty conduct research ranging from pre-clinical, laboratory experiments to Phase I-IV drug development and post-approval clinical protocols. Innovative drug assays, pharmacogenomics and PK-PD modeling contribute to novel clinical trials development and implementation.