Research

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The Department of Anesthesiology at Washington University School of Medicine is a leader in research. Clinical investigations occur in all of the subspecialty areas, and many include collaboration with experts in other disciplines such as cardiology, hematology or endocrinology. Basic science research takes place in the Clinical Sciences Research Building, a state-of-the-art facility immediately adjacent to Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital. Areas of current investigation include the following:

• Structure and function of ion channels/anesthetic effects on ion channels.
• Molecular biology of signal transduction/anesthetic effects on signal transduction pathways.
• Molecular mechanisms of anesthetic action.
• Vascular biology/anesthetic effects on microvascular function.
• Cellular pathophysiology of sepsis.
• Cellular and physiologic studies of nociception and chronic pain.
• Genetic analysis of anesthetic actions using C. elegans.

There is a strong emphasis on the training of physicians and scientists in the fundamentals of molecular biology and cellular physiology. Residents are encouraged to become interested and involved in the research activities of the department. Journal club and all research seminars and conferences are open to all residents.

The Anesthesiology Research Unit maintains a web site of its own at
http://www.elysium.wustl.edu/