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More about
Dr. Szweda:

Dr. Szweda's CV in brief

Publications

Free Radical Biology and Aging Research Program

Luke I. Szweda, Ph.D. Associate Member and Program Chair, Free Radical Biology and Aging   Research Program Adjunct Professor, Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes,   University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Visiting Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Univercite Paris 7, Paris, France

Research Interests
Cardiovascular disease, characterized by loss of myocardial function and, in the long term, development of heart failure, is a leading cause of death and debilitation worldwide. Particularly prevalent in diabetic and aging populations, cardiovascular disease is associated with declines in mitochondrial function. Required for the maintenance of cardiac energy status and function, mitochondria exhibit increases in the production of oxygen-derived free radicals. These reactive species can alter protein function reversibly, indicating the potential for regulation, or can cause irreversible damage.

Our research seeks to define molecular events responsible for changes in mitochondrial free radical production, biochemical mechanisms by which alterations in redox status modulate mitochondrial function and factors that control the progression from reversible inhibition to irreversible inactivation of protein function. We utilize biophysical, biochemical and physiological approaches to define targets, mechanisms and metabolic consequences of oxidative modification. A major aspect of this work is to define age- and diabetes-related alterations that promote the progression from reversible inhibition of function to irreversible injury and loss in viability during cardiac ischemia/reperfusion.

Information gained from these studies is required to delineate pathways and physiological implications of redox regulation and for the development of effective strategies to treat and/or prevent pathophysiological conditions, such as cardiac ischemia/reperfusion, associated with increased oxidative stress. Importantly, changes in mitochondrial free radical production occur during the progression of numerous degenerative diseases. Thus, findings from these studies will likely have broad implications for related areas of basic and clinical investigation.

Joined OMRF Scientific Staff in 2005.

Mailing Address
Free Radical Biology and Aging Research Program, MS 21
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
825 N.E. 13th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104

Contact Information
Phone: (405) 271-7582
Fax: (405) 271-1795
E-mail: Luke-Szweda@omrf.org