Robert Harley Notter, M.D., Ph.D.

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Dr. Notter's laboratory research focuses on the molecular biophysics, surface and physiological activity, and dysfunction of endogenous and exogenous pulmonary surfactants, and on optimizing surfactant-based therapies for the neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), clinical acute lung injury (ALI), and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A multidisciplinary, inter-university collaborative format of integrated biophysical, biochemical, and physiological research is used to elucidate mechanisms of surfactant activity and dysfunction in vitro and in vivo, and to facilitate the development of novel highly-active synthetic lipid/peptide exogenous surfactants. His research over the past three decades has helped to establish clinically-effective surfactant therapy for RDS in premature infants, and this is now being extended to patients of all ages with surfactant dysfunction and ALI/ARDS. His research has received long term federal funding (28 years of consecutive NIH funding). Three research projects of particular current emphasis are:

- Mechanisms of surfactant dysfunction in animal models of inflammatory ALI/ARDS: gastric aspiration, pulmonary infection (P. carinii, E. coli or mycoplasma), gastric aspiration, oxygen/chlorine-induced lung injury, and blunt trauma lung contusion;

- Synthesis, interfacial biophysics, and surface properties of novel highly-active phospholipase-resistant phospholipid and phosphonolipid analog compounds;

- Synthesis and molecular biophysics of novel amphipathic peptides, and their overall surface activity and physiological effects in animal lungs when combined with phospholipase-resistant synthetic lipids in new exogenous surfactants.

Specialty

Neonatology

Current Appointments

• Professor - Department of Pediatrics (SMD)
• Professor - Department of Environmental Medicine (SMD)

Lab Website

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/scrc/members-mentors/notter.htm