Anne-Marie Lauzon, PhD

The main interest of Dr. Lauzon’s laboratory is to understand the role of specific proteins in determining the contractile properties of smooth muscle, in particular as they pertain to the problem of airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. A research program was established to investigate the structure and function of normal and asthmatic airway smooth muscle. Specifically, in characterizing contractile protein expression and function in normal and asthmatic airways, as well as in innate and allergic models of asthma. The second theme consists in investigating fundamental properties of these contractile proteins by measuring rate and force generation directly at the molecular level as well as at the muscle strip level. A molecular and tissue mechanics laboratory which include an in vitro motility, a laser trap and a muscle strip mechanics assays have been set up. Research suggests that alterations in expression and function of specific contractile proteins are important determinants of airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. These studies are also of relevance to other disorders associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and cystic fibrosis, as well as other vascular and intestinal pathologies related to smooth muscle dysfunction.