معرفی
Swapnil Sonkusare is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the Director of Graduate Studies in Physiology. His research focuses on calcium signaling mechanisms in vascular function and dysfunction, particularly in hypertension, obesity, pulmonary hypertension, and atherosclerosis. He leads the Sonkusare Laboratory at the Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center.
- Key Research Areas: Biophysics, Cardiovascular Biology, Physiology, Calcium Signaling, TRP Channels.
- Techniques: Transgenic mouse models, high-speed confocal imaging, patch-clamp electrophysiology, dSTORM super-resolution imaging.
Sonkusare’s lab investigates how TRP ion channels interact with other signaling proteins to regulate blood pressure and vascular tone. His work has identified novel calcium signaling nanodomains in smooth muscle cells and elucidated the role of endothelial TRPV4 channels in pulmonary hypertension and obesity-induced hypertension.
His lab’s recent publications highlight discoveries in mechanosensitive signaling, purinergic-TRPV4 pathways, and oxidative stress in vascular dysfunction. Collaborative studies with Dr. Venetia Laubach on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury have been featured in Science Signaling and Circulation.
Scientific Awards:
- Mid-Career Award in Cardiovascular Pharmacology (ASPET, 2022).
- Dean’s Excellence in Faculty Research Award (UVA, 2022).
Grants: Multiple NIH R01 grants (HL167208, HL142808, HL146914, EY034238, HL157407) fund his work on TRPV4 signaling, calcium nanodomains, and vascular inflammation.
Labs & Teams: Based at the Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, his lab collaborates with institutions like Johns Hopkins, McGill University, and the University of Maryland. Current members include Research Scientists Yen-Lin Chen and Maniselvan Kuppusamy, with former students Matteo Ottolini (now at Bayer Oncology) and Corina Marziano (Analytical Scientist at Medpace).
