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James
E. Mahaney, Ph.D.
Associate Professor / Discipline Chair for Biochemistry
Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
2265 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Research Building II, Room 1011
Tele: 540-231-1948 (Office); 540- 231-1491 (Lab)
Fax: 540-231-5252
Email: jmahaney@vcom.vt.edu |
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Discipline: |
Biochemistry |
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Education: |
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| 1989 |
University of Virginia |
Ph.D. |
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Currently Teaching: |
Biochemistry |
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Physiology |
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Nutrition |
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Current
Research: |
The goal of his research program is to help elucidate the molecular
mechanism of calcium transport regulation in the heart. This work
involves the Ca-ATPase, which transports calcium into the sarcoplasmic
reticulum to promote cardiac muscle relaxation, and phospholamban,
a small phosphoprotein that regulates the Ca-ATPase in the heart.
To address these questions, he is using a combination of molecular
biology, biophysical spectroscopy and biochemical kinetics to investigate
the physical and functional interactions between the Ca-ATPase and
PLB. A central feature of this research program is the use of the
baculovirus-High Five insect cell expression system to produce Ca-ATPase
and phospholamban samples for his studies. Use of this expression
system allows us to study the physical and kinetic properties of
the Ca-ATPase in the absence and presence of phospholamban. In addition,
this system allows to control the ratio of Ca-ATPase to phospholamban
in his samples and to study Ca-ATPase and / or phospholamban mutants.
A number of heart-disease states are linked directly to abnormal
phospholamban Ca-ATPase interactions. |
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Current Academic
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Clinical Service: |
Ad
hoc reviewer for several scientific journals |
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Professional
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Community Activities: |
Biophysical
Society |
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American Heart
Association, Study Section Member |
