George Gerald Rodney Jr.

George Gerald Rodney Jr., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Baylor College of Medicine. His research focuses on skeletal muscle physiology, calcium signaling, and redox mechanisms underlying muscle function and pathology.

Education:

• Post-Doctoral Fellowship, University of Maryland at Baltimore (2004)
• PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (2001)
• MS, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX (1996)

Research Interests: Dr. Rodney’s work integrates real-time imaging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium dynamics to study skeletal muscle physiology under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Key areas include:

• Regulation of ryanodine receptors (RyR) and excitation-contraction coupling
• Role of ROS in muscle dystrophies (e.g., Duchenne muscular dystrophy)
• Development of ROS inhibitors for therapeutic applications

Lab Techniques: The Rodney Lab employs advanced methodologies such as confocal microscopy, fluorescent ROS detection, patch clamping, and in vivo electroporation to investigate muscle function at the molecular and cellular levels.

Clinical Implications: His research identifies redox signaling pathways as potential therapeutic targets for muscle-wasting disorders, diabetes, and chronic heart failure.