Valerie Ann Porter, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor - Department of Pediatrics
Education and Background
- Undergraduate: Dept of Pharmacology, University of Leeds, UKBSc (Hons.) 1991, Pharmacology
- Graduate: Dept of Pharmacology, University of Leeds, UK - Ph.D. 1994
- Thesis Title: Electrophysiological Studies on Calcium Channels.
- Supervisor: Prof. Dennis Wray
- Postdoctoral: Dept. of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, Postdoctoral Research Fellow. 1994-1997
- Supervisor: Prof. Mark T. Nelson
Awards
- AHA fellowship (Vermont affiliate) July 1995-June 1996 Calcium channels and calcium sparks in arterial smooth muscle cells
- AHA fellowship (Vermont affiliate) July 1996-June 1997 Calcium sparks and STOCs in arterial smooth muscle and endothelial cells
Previous Research Experience
- Electrophysiology: Intracellular microelectrode recording from the neuromuscular junction. Two electrode voltage clamp from Xenopus oocytes. Whole cell patch clamp from freshly isolated vascular smooth muscle cells.
- Molecular biology: cRNA preparation and expression of calcium channels in Xenopus oocytes.
- Calcium imaging: Conventional fura-2 ratiometric imaging and high speed confocal microscopy measurement of Ca2+ sparks with fluo-3.
- Pressurised arteries: Isolation and pressurisation of cerebral and coronary resistance arteries.
Current Areas of Research Interest
- Developmental Vascular Biology:
- Intracellular Ca2+ signalling mechanisms.
- Mechanisms controlling vascular tone.
- Development of cerebral and pulmonary arteries.
- Oxygen sensing in developing vasculature.
- Role of vascular endothelium in development.
You can contact Dr. Porter through the Pediatric Critical Care office at (612) 626-2916, or by e-mail at:
porte030@tc.umn.edu
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