Augustus O. Grant, PhD, MB ChB
Vice Dean, for Faculty Enrichment
Department / Division
Medicine /
Medicine - Cardiology
Address
DUMC 3504
Durham, NC 27710
Appointment Telephone
919-684-3901
Office Telephone
919-684-5948
Fax Telephone
919-681-8978
- MB ChB, University of Edinburgh (Scotland), 1971
- Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba (Canada), 1975-1977
- Cardiology, Duke University Medical Center, 1977-1980
- PhD, Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, 1972-1975
Clinical Interests
Cardiac arrhythmias
Research Interests
This laboratory seeks to understand the molecular events that control excitation in cardiac muscle and the mechanisms by which excitation is modified by drugs. The experimental models include the isolated cardiac myocyte, the frog oocyte and mammalian cells expressing mRNA transcripts of wild-type and mutant channels. The experimental techniques include DNA and RNA manipulation, whole cell voltage clamping and the extracellular patch clamping. The current focus of the laboratory is the voltage gated sodium channel. The problems under study include:
1) The functional effects of the derangements occurring during
myocardial ischemia on channel function.
2) The mechanisms of blockade of channels by antiarrhythmic drugs.
3) The relationship between channel structure and antiarrhythmic drug
binding.
4) The development of models to describe the interaction of anti-
arrhythmic drugs with membrane channels.
These studies should provide a clearer understanding of the cellular basis of cardiac arrhythmias and the mechanisms by which they are terminated by drug.
This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has a working relationship (i.e. consulting, research, and/or educational services) with the companies listed below. These relations have been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts.
- Pfizer Inc.
- Sanofi-Aventis
- Unilever plc
