Berk Lab
Bradford C. Berk, M.D., Ph.D.
CEO, University of Rochester Medical Center - Department of Office of VP for Health Sciences (URMC)
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| Senior Vice President for Health Sciences - Department of Office of VP for Health Sciences (URMC) | |
| Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cardiology | |
| Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine | |
| Professor of Pharmacolgoy and Physiology | |
| 1981 | Ph.D. | Pharmacology | University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry | |
| 1981 | M.D. | Medicine | University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry | |
| 1975 | B.A. | Pre-Medical | Amherst College |
Research Overview
Dr. Berk's laboratory has focused on defining the mechanisms by which cells in the vascular wall respond to hemodynamic and hormonal stimuli. In particular the laboratory has studied the role of protein kinases as mediators of signal transduction in the vasculature.
Projects
The four major research projects ongoing in the laboratory include:
- Mechanisms by which blood vessels sense changes in blood flow and modulate vessel size and tone. Using cultured endothelial cells and models of altered blood flow; signal transduction events that confer atheroprotection in the setting of steady laminar flow are being investigated. The goal is to characterize novel biomechanical sensing molecules.
- The cellular mechanisms that cause hypertension are being investigated by analysis of the role of the renin angiotensin system and the kinases that regulate intracellular sodium.
- The regulation of smooth muscle cell growth by angiotensin II is focused on the activation of intracellular kinases and phosphatases by the angiotensin II receptor function are being studied to provide insight into the ways that antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C and E work to prevent ischemic heart disease.
- A genetic model of vascular remodeling in the rat has been established. A carotid flow reduction model has been characterized and is being used to identify genes responsible for impaired flow-dependent remodeling by positional cloning in inbred strains of rats.
Recent Publications
- Redox redux: protecting the ischemic myocardium., Spindel ON, Berk BC.,
J Clin Invest. 2012 Jan 3;122(1):30-2. doi: 10.1172/JCI61467. Epub 2011 Dec 27.
- Thioredoxin Interacting Protein: Redox Dependent and Independent Regulatory Mechanisms., Spindel ON, World C, Berk BC.,
Antioxid Redox Signal. 2011 Dec 20. [Epub ahead of print]
- G protein coupled receptor kinase 2 interacting protein 1 (GIT1) is a novel regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis in heart., Pang J, Xu X, Getman MR, Shi X, Belmonte SL, Michaloski H, Mohan A, Blaxall BC, Berk BC.,
J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2011 Nov;51(5):769-76. Epub 2011 Jul 2.
- Thioredoxin-interacting protein mediates TRX1 translocation to the plasma membrane in response to tumor necrosis factor-α: a key mechanism for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 transactivation by reactive oxygen species.,
World C, Spindel ON, Berk BC.,
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2011 Aug;31(8):1890-7. Epub 2011 Jun 2.
- PKCζ mediates disturbed flow-induced endothelial apoptosis via p53 SUMOylation.,
Heo KS, Lee H, Nigro P, Thomas T, Le NT, Chang E, McClain C, Reinhart-King CA, King MR, Berk BC, Fujiwara K, Woo CH, Abe J.,
J Cell Biol. 2011 May 30;193(5):867-84.
- p90 ribosomal S6 kinase regulates activity of the renin-angiotensin system: a pathogenic mechanism for ischemia-reperfusion injury.,
Shi X, Yan C, Nadtochiy SM, Abe J, Brookes PS, Berk BC.,
J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2011 Aug;51(2):272-5. Epub 2011 May 14.
- Vascular-derived reactive oxygen species for homeostasis and diseases.
Satoh K, Berk BC, Shimokawa H., Nitric Oxide. 2011 Aug 1;25(2):211-5. Epub 2011 May 3. Review.
- Cyclophilin A promotes cardiac hypertrophy in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
Satoh K, Nigro P, Zeidan A, Soe NN, Jaffré F, Oikawa M, O'Dell MR, Cui Z, Menon P, Lu Y, Mohan A, Yan C, Blaxall BC, Berk BC., Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2011 May;31(5):1116-23. Epub 2011 Feb 17.
- Cyclophilin A is an inflammatory mediator that promotes atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.,
Nigro P, Satoh K, O'Dell MR, Soe NN, Cui Z, Mohan A, Abe J, Alexis JD, Sparks JD, Berk BC.,
J Exp Med. 2011 Jan 17;208(1):53-66. Epub 2010 Dec 20.
- Flow shear stress and atherosclerosis: a matter of site specificity.,
Nigro P, Abe J, Berk BC.,
Antioxid Redox Signal. 2011 Sep 1;15(5):1405-14. Epub 2011 Apr 8. Review.
More papers: 
Contact
Bradford C. Berk , M.D., Ph.D.
University of Rochester
School of Medicine and Dentistry
601 Elmwood Ave, Box 706
Rochester, New York 14642
Admin. Office: (585) 276-9800
Lab Members
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Lab Technician |
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Research Assistant Professor |
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Lab Technician |
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Postdoctoral Research Associate |
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Research Assistant Professor |
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Postdoctoral Research Associate |
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Operational Manager |
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Assistant Professor |
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Postdoctoral Research Associate |
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Research Assistant Professor |
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Postdoctoral Research Associate |
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Research Associate Professor |
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Graduate Student |
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Senior Associate |
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Visiting Scholar |
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Lab Technician |
