简介

I have studies underway in collaboration with scientists in the departments of Applied Science, Biology, and Physics, as well as the Thomas Jefferson Accelerator Facility to develop very high resolution Single Photon Emission detectors. These detectors are used in a dual modality imaging system with X-ray. We are developing the associated Computed Tomography software and hardware for in vivo SPECT imaging of both gene expression as well as for pharmacodynamic studies of iodine-labeled ligands. In addition, I am continuing studies on the endocrine bases of reproductive inhibition. More specifically, we have identified a mouse model system for reproductive inhibition that resembles human stress-induced infertility. Our studies have centered on determining the nature of a density-related and reversible reproductive inhibition in two Peromyscus species. These studies involve molecular and cellular approaches to determining the expression of genes and the gene products that may contribute to and maintain reproductive inhibition.