Sanders-Brown Faculty

Christopher M. Norris, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Departmental Affiliation(s):

Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology

Research Focus:

Calcium signaling pathways in brain aging and aging-related diseases

In the lab:

Hafiz Mohammad Abdul (Scientist 2)

Irina Artiushin (Research Analyst)

Dusan Jeftinjia (Graduate Student).

Diana Mathis (Graduate Student)

Michelle Sama (Graduate Student)

Research Interests:

Dr. Norris' work focuses on the role of Ca2+ signaling mechanisms in brain aging and neurodegenerative disease, with recent emphasis on the Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein phosphatase, calcineurin, and its downstream targets. Most studies are conducted on the hippocampus, or hippocampal cultures using a variety of experimental approaches including: adenoviral-mediated gene delivery, electrophysiology (patch clamp and sharp electrode recordings), immunocytochemistry, and protein biochemistry. Behavioral assessment in rodents also is used to test brain-behavior relationships.

Recent Publications:

Jeftinija DM, Wang QB, Hebert SL, Norris CM,Yan Z, Rich MM, Kraner SD. The Ca(V) 1.2 Ca(2+) channel is expressed in sarcolemma of type I and IIa myofibers of adult skeletal muscle. Muscle Nerve 36: 482-490, 2007.