Research Profile - College of Medicine and Health Science - United ...

Department
of Physiology
Research Profile
Members of Staff of the Physiology Department
have interests in neuroscience and muscle
(including skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle).
The experimental work includes normal
physiology as well as pathophysiology, particularly
in relation to the peripheral nerves, autonomic
nervous system, and heart in the diabetic state,
which is a common disorder in the United Arab
Emirates. The work requires complex
electrophysiological and cellular methodologies,
as well as electron microscopy, using in vitro and
in vivo techniques. Other departmental research
interests include uterine smooth muscle
physiology, cardiovascular and pulmonary effects
of particulate air pollution and cancer biology.
Aging and neurodegenerative disorders
Studies on aging and neurodegenerative disorders have focused
on synaptic plasticity and synaptic remodelling, particularly at
the nerve-muscle junction in various peripheral neuropathies
including those caused by diabetes, aging and heavy metal
poisoning. Electrophysiological, laser confocal microscopy and
electronmicroscopy techniques are used in combination to
focus on changes in muscular performance in these conditions.
It is hypothesised that free radicals are involved in these nerve
injuries and antioxidants like vitamin E & C may have a protective
role. Studies on the cerebral microcirculation include changes
in the susceptibilty to thrombus formation in the brain, and the
effects of metals, aspirin and heat.
Professor & Chair:
Prof TE Adrian
Professor:
Prof M Fahim
Prof W Lammers
Prof M Ljubisavijevic
Prof FC Howarth
Prof J Morrison
Associate Professor:
Dr A Nemmar
Medical Research
Specialist:
Mr S Dhanasekaran
Ms K Parekh
Mr MA Qureshi
Ms B Stephen
Ms Shaheen Zia
Research Assistant:
Ms Sneha Ann Thomas
Secretary:
Mr P Rajagopalan
Office Assistant:
Mr Saeed