Saint Louis University · Biochemistry

Ford Lab

David A. Ford · Saint Louis, Missouri

Research Focus

David A. Ford's research lab at Saint Louis University investigates the toxic effects of halogen gases, particularly chlorine and bromine, on the lungs and blood. They explore how chemicals produced from these exposures can lead to issues like coagulopathy and organ injury, and aim to find common treatment strategies for these public health threats. By studying how these toxicants affect red blood cells and platelets, this lab seeks to better understand the underlying mechanisms of gas toxicity and develop potential therapeutic interventions.

Halogen gas toxicityCoagulopathyCl2 and Br2 exposureRed blood cellsPlatelet activation2-haloFALDGlutathione adductsOrgan injuryCardiopulmonary failurePublic health

Research Aims

AIM 01Identify FALD-GSH activation of the CysLT2 receptor as a mechanism responsible for coagulation and lung injury post Cl2 and Br2 exposure.

AIM 02Investigate direct and indirect mechanisms of FALD-GSH-mediated platelet activation in primary human cells.

AIM 03Explore differences in toxicity mechanisms between Cl2 and Br2 due to varying reactivity of their respective fatty aldehydes.

AIM 04Develop therapeutic countermeasures based on identified mechanisms of halogen gas toxicity.

Skills the Lab Values

Mouse modelsRat modelsCell cultureBiochemical assaysFlow cytometryWestern blotToxicology testingImmunoblottingData analysisIn vitro experiments

Output against the department

Publications274top 25% of dept.99th of 402

this lab

most publishedleast published

Citations9.1kbottom 47% of dept.214th of 402

this lab

most citedleast cited

Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.