Cryptochromes in Mammals and Birds: Clock or Magnetic Compass?
Kavet R, Brain J.
Physiology (Bethesda). 2021 05 01. 36(3):183-194. PMID: 33904789
Cecil K. and Philip Drinker Professor of Environmental Physiology, Emeritus
Environmental Health
Dr. Brain's research emphasizes responses to inhaled gases, particulates, and microbes. His studies extend from the deposition of inhaled particles in the respiratory tract to their clearance by respiratory defense mechanisms. Of particular interest is the role of lung macrophages; this resident cell keeps lung surfaces clean and sterile. Moreover, the lung macrophage is also a critical regulator of inflammatory and immune responses. The context of these studies on macrophages is the prevention and pathogenesis of environmental lung disease as well as respiratory infection.
His research has utilized magnetic particles in macrophages throughout the body as a non-invasive tool for measuring cell motility and the response of macrophages to various mediators and toxins. Other experiments deal with the use of lung lavage to obtain and characterize macrophages. A rodent bioassay utilizing lung lavage has been developed; the assay has been used to estimate the relative toxicity of new and complex mixtures such as molds, urban dusts, welding fume, new materials being used in the workplace, as well as drugs and excipients administered by inhalation, including nanomaterials.
Respiratory infection is emphasized and includes mechanistic studies of the lung's defenses against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an important pulmonary pathogen for patients with cystic fibrosis. Related studies deal with opportunistic lung infections in AIDS such as Pneumocystis carinii. Another area of study is drug delivery to and through the lungs, including inhaled insulin.
Kavet R, Brain J.
Physiology (Bethesda). 2021 05 01. 36(3):183-194. PMID: 33904789
Konduru NV, Velasco-Alzate K, Adduri S, Zagorovsky K, Diaz-Diestra D, Fisol F, Sanches M, Ndetan H, Brain JD, Molina RM.
Nanotheranostics. 2021. 5(3):309-320. PMID: 33732602
Gonçalves JP, Pipek LZ, Donaghey TC, DeLoid GM, Demokritou P, Brain JD, Molina RM.
NanoImpact. 2021 01. 21. PMID: 33521386
Sato E, McDonald SA, Fan Y, Peterson S, Brain JD, Godleski JJ.
Part Fibre Toxicol. 2020 06 04. 17(1):20. PMID: 32498698
Graham UM, Dozier AK, Oberdörster G, Yokel RA, Molina R, Brain JD, Pinto JM, Weuve J, Bennett DA.
Chem Res Toxicol. 2020 05 18. 33(5):1145-1162. PMID: 32349469
Brain JD, Sieber NL, Rosenblum Lichtenstein JH.
Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2020 05. 62(5):537-538. PMID: 31693387
Li G, Cohen JA, Martines C, Ram-Mohan S, Brain JD, Krishnan R, Ai X, Bai Y.
Sci Rep. 2020 04 15. 10(1):6480. PMID: 32296115
Khare S, DeLoid GM, Molina RM, Gokulan K, Couvillion SP, Bloodsworth KJ, Eder EK, Wong AR, Hoyt DW, Bramer LM, Metz TO, Thrall BD, Brain JD, Demokritou P.
NanoImpact. 2020 Apr. 18. PMID: 32190784
Tsuda A, Donaghey TC, Konduru NV, Pyrgiotakis G, Van Winkle LS, Zhang Z, Edwards P, Bustamante JM, Brain JD, Demokritou P.
ACS Nano. 2019 09 24. 13(9):10095-10102. PMID: 31397554
DeLoid GM, Cao X, Molina RM, Silva DI, Bhattacharya K, Ng KW, Loo SCJ, Brain JD, Demokritou P.
Environ Sci Nano. 2019 Jul 01. 6(7):2105-2115. PMID: 32133146