Joseph Frank Cotten MD, PhD

Dr. Joseph Frank Cotten's research focuses on the molecular mechanism by which volatile anesthetics potentiate TASK tandem pore potassium channel function and the role of these pH- and hypoxia-sensitive channels in the regulation of breathing. They use an Ussing chamber electrophysiologic system to study these channels and employ a number of molecular techniques, including molecular co-expression, site-directed mutagenesis, and RNA interference. We also use whole-body plethysmography to study breathing.