Alexander S. Clanachan

Dr. Alexander S. Clanachan is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, specializing in pharmacotherapy for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. His work targets novel drug mechanisms to improve cardiac recovery in stressed hearts (e.g., diabetic, aged, or delayed-reperfusion scenarios).

His educational background includes:

• BSc Hons Pharmacology, University of Glasgow, 1972
• PhD Pharmacology/Anesthesia, University of Glasgow, 1976

Research Interests:
Dr. Clanachan investigates:

• Recovery of left ventricular mechanical/metabolic function post-ischemia
• Na⁺/Ca²⁺ homeostasis regulation
• Infarct size limitation pathways
• Cardioprotection via adenosine receptors and late I_Na inhibition

His lab employs model systems to quantify drug effects on cardiac efficiency, energy substrate metabolism, calcium overload, and signaling (GSK-3β, AMPK, p38MAPK).

Analysis of his 15 recent publications (2011-2016) reveals consistent focus on metabolic-ionic crosstalk in reperfusion injury, particularly in diabetic hearts and anesthetic interactions. Key trends include adenosine-mediated glycogen regulation, late I_Na inhibition for calcium control, and ROS-dependent cardioprotection mechanisms.

Scientific Awards:
No awards were mentioned in the source material.

Advising and Grants:
Dr. Clanachan mentors Research Associate Dr. Phing How Lou and teaches Pharmacology courses (PMCOL415, PMCOL337, PMCOL300*, PMCOL515*). Grant details were unspecified, but his collaborative projects span anesthesiology, diabetes, and cardiac metabolism.

Laboratory:
His lab (Medical Sciences Building, Room 9-43) conducts isolated heart perfusion studies, metabolic profiling, and molecular analysis of cardioprotective pathways.