Bladder Smooth Muscle Physiology
Paul Ratz, PhD
Dr. Ratz is a professor of biochemistry and pediatrics. He has two active NIH grants and conducts research on detrusor and vascular smooth muscle. He has published extensively on calcium and intracellular signaling and on the molecular mechanisms responsible for generation of passive and active force. His work continues to shed light on the pathophysiology of overactive bladder and poor bladder compliance.
Mechanical Properties of Bladder Muscle
John Speich, PhD
Dr. Speich is assistant professor of mechanical engineering. He is an expert in the concept of “strain softening” as applied to the urinary bladder and is currently developing neural networks to model lower urinary tract function and dysfunction.
Neuro-Urology and Overactive Bladder
Adam P. Klausner, MD
Dr. Klausner is assistant professor of surgery. He completed a basic science research fellowship at the university of Virginia and continues laboratory work in this area. Specific projects have included the role of corticotropin releasing factor in detrusor overactivity, the role of antimuscarinics in plaque formation in animal models of Alzheimer disease, and the role of interstitial cells of cajal in pathogenesis of overactive bladder.
Urologic Tissue Engineering
Gary Bowlin, PhD
Dr. Bowlin is an associate professor of biomedical engineering. He holds several patents and extramural grants in the area of electrospinning of extracellular matrix. He has published extensively on the research and clinical applications of this technique, and his lab has pioneered development of composite matrices ideal for reconstruction of urologic tissues.
