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Faculty Matthew J. Gdovin, Ph.D. Research Interests Current research is designed to examine the developmental aspects of the neural control of respiration, focusing on central pattern generation and central respiratory chemoreception. The evolution of terrestriality from aquatic gill breathing to terrestrial lung breathing required changes in the neural substrates controlling both respiratory rhythm and pattern generation, as well as central respiratory chemoreception. Amphibians, because of their unique transition from aquatic gill breathing in larval stages to terrestrial lung breathing as adults, offer remarkable opportunities to elucidate the neural changes necessary for the transition from aquatic to aerial respiration. We have recently developed an in vitro brainstem preparation of the bullfrog tadpole Rana catesbeiana that is well oxygenated throughout and more importantly, retains robust, spontaneous respiratory rhythmicity and central chemoreception. Ongoing research is directed at describing the cellular and molecular changes which take place in both central respiratory pattern generating and chemoreceptor neurons during development. Using thin medullary slices and cultured medullary neurons, state of the art patch clamp techniques are being applied to investigate the ontogeny of the cellular and biophysical properties of central respiratory pattern generating neurons, as well as the network properties of these neurons. Both thin slices and in vitro brainstem preparations are being employed to characterize the ontogeny of the neurotransmitters involved in respiratory rhythmicity and chemoreception. In addition to describing the neurobiology of respiration in lower vertebrates, culmination of those studies will provide insight into the neural mechanisms necessary for the evolution of air breathing. Recent Publications Gdovin MJ, Jackson VV, Zamora DA, Leiter JC. Effect of prevention of lung inflation on metamorphosis and respiration in the developing bullfrog tadpole, Rana catesbeiana. J Exp Zoolog A Comp Exp Biol. 2006 Apr 1;305(4):335-47. Putnam RW, Conrad SC, Gdovin MJ, Erlichman JS, Leiter JC. Neonatal maturation of the hypercapnic ventilatory response and central neural CO2 chemosensitivity. Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2005 Nov 15;149(1-3):165-79. Taylor BE, Harris MB, Leiter JC, Gdovin MJ. Ontogeny of central CO2 chemoreception: chemosensitivity in the ventral medulla of developing bullfrogs. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2003 Dec;285(6):R1461-72. Taylor BE, Harris MB, Coates EL, Gdovin MJ, Leiter JC. Central CO2 chemoreception in developing bullfrogs: anomalous response to acetazolamide. J Appl Physiol. 2003 Mar;94(3):1204-12. Torgerson CS, Gdovin MJ, Brandt R, Remmers JE. Location of central respiratory chemoreceptors in the developing tadpole. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2001 Apr;280(4):R921-8. Torgerson CS, Gdovin MJ, Remmers JE. Sites of respiratory rhythmogenesis during development in the tadpole. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2001 Apr;280(4):R913-20.
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