Gaining New Scientific Insight Into
Life through Vascular Cell Biology Research
Dr. Fox created the above illustration in Canvas based on a real-life
image of protein synthesis. This "Circular" Model of mRNA
Translation-Initiation sheds new light on the behavior of the ceruloplasmin
protein. Top left image is courtesy of Elsevier Science UK. |
Through
the important work of physicians and scientists at research institutions
around the world, many phenomenal strides have been made in the healthcare
science field. As a result, the quality of human life and its longevity
continues to advance. The starting point for scientifically understanding
life is through biological studies at one of its most basic levels,
which is the cell. The Cleveland Clinic is a premier research facility
with a highly regarded Cell Biology Department. Ranked fourth on the
list of "best hospitals" published annually by U.S. News
and World Report, this world-class institution is renown for its commitment
to excellence and innovation in the healthcare industry.
One particular member of the Cleveland Clinic's Cell Biology Department
who has significantly contributed to its work is Dr. Paul Fox. His fascination
with cell biology goes all the way back to the early 1970's. Paul went
to Cornell University to pursue his studies in this area and received
a doctorate in Biochemistry Ph.D. in 1983. Immediately following his
graduation from Cornell, Paul joined the Cell Biology Department at the
Cleveland Clinic. His specialty is the study of cells residing in blood
vessels, an area known as vascular cell biology.
Over the course of his many years at the Cleveland Clinic, Paul has
been involved in a multitude of research studies. His laboratory is studying
a protein called ceruloplasmin and elucidating its role in the red blood
cell formation process. By gaining more insight into ceruloplasmin and
other iron-related proteins, scientists are well on their way to finding
possible treatments for multiple iron disorders. This is one current
focus within the Cleveland Clinic Cell Biology Department where Canvas
is a standard application for research documentation.
"We're looking at how red blood cells get their iron to make hemoglobin,
the oxygen carrier of the blood," explains Paul. "Specifically,
we're looking at the role of the protein ceruloplasmin in that process,
which is known as erythropoiesis or red blood cell formation. A few years
ago, people with defects in the ceruloplasmin gene were discovered. They
had serious problems related to iron metabolism. One thing that we are
interested in is what regulates ceruloplasmin synthesis. That will help
us to understand the role of ceruloplasmin in physiological functions.
What controls it tells you when it's important."
This specific area of cell biology research got its start in 1927. A
study by German scientists Otto Warburg and H. A. Krebs indicated that
blood loss led to increased ceruloplasmin levels. At that time, however,
the substance was not known as ceruloplasmin. "This was an indication
that ceruloplasmin had something to do with bleeding and, in fact, it
may have had something to do with the need to make new blood cells," says
Paul, referring to the German study. |
