Richard Galbraith's Laboratory

Research Foci

We have a long standing interest in the integration of the various signals involved in modifying food intake.  The majority of this work takes place in rat models and is focused on how the hypothalamus helps to control food intake.  A major approach used in these studies is to study the effects of a synthetic metalloporphyrin, cobalt protoporphyrin, which elicits unusually prolonged and marked decreases in food intake and weight.  These studies are involved in trying to elicit the neurobiological mechanisms and sites of action of this compound in the expectation that this will further illuminate the normal physiology of the system. 

Immobilization rapidly leads to significant muscle atrophy and weakness especially in the muscles of the legs.  We believe that oxidative stress may play a key role in either provoking or maintaining muscle atrophy during immobilization.  We are testing this hypothesis by enrolling normal healthy human subjects in bed rest studies with intermittent testing of strength and physiological function which we correlate to biochemical and molecular changes of muscle biopsies obtained from the subject’s legs.