University of South Florida · PhysiologyEsophageal Mechanosensitivity Research Lab
Thomas Edward Taylor-Clark · Tampa, Florida
Research Focus
Dr. Thomas Edward Taylor-Clark's lab at the University of South Florida studies how certain nerves in the esophagus respond to stretching. These nerves help control swallowing and esophageal movement. By understanding how these nerves work, the lab aims to find ways to treat conditions like dysphagia and heartburn that affect many people.
esophageal disordersmechanosensitivityneural feedbackion channelsdysphagiaGERD
Research Aims
3AIM 01Identify the mechanosensitive channels required for activating esophageal vagal afferents.
AIM 02Determine which sodium channels initiate action potentials in esophageal vagal afferents.
AIM 03Investigate the sodium channels involved in the conduction of action potentials in esophageal vagal axons.
Skills the Lab Values
electrophysiologycell culturemolecular biologysodium channel characterizationmechanoreceptor studies