UIC Department of Pharmacology: Faculty Research

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Primary Faculty

Marcelo Bonini, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine Section of Cardiology, and Pharmacology
My research interests focus on the mechanisms and consequences of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) physiological and prolonged activation in health and disease. It is our currently working hypothesis that nitric oxide synthases are vulnerable checkpoints mediating physiological signaling through the controlled production of nitric oxide or oxidative stress depending on multiple factors which include substrate and cofactor availabilities and upstream kinase/phosphatase activity balance. Our current model is based on the investigation of the mechanisms through which nitroglycerin, a commonly used vasodilator, elicits vasodilation immediately after administration while inducing endothelial dysfunction upon continued use. Our results have demonstrated that nitric oxide synthase activation leads to the therapeutic effects observed in the clinic and indicated that failure in deactivating NOS may contribute to dysfunction. Our laboratory is prepared to support research involving an array of biochemical and biophysical techniques which include HPLC, Western Blots, ELISA, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), cell cultures and animal models as well as chemiluminescent detection of nitric oxide and immuno-spin trapping.
1131 COMRB 909 S. Wolcott Ave. (312) 355-5948 mbonini@uic.edu Lab home page