Ryan D. McCulla, Ph.D. » Investigators

Cardiovascular Research Interests:

Primary area of research:

• Lipid oxidation products of atomic oxygen and ozone: selective targeting of oxidized lipid mediators of cardiovascular disease

Related areas of research:

• Oxidative stress biomarkers of cardiovascular disease.

Summary of cardiovascular research:

Our primary research interests have centered on the rapid generation of atomic oxygen and ozone to investigate biochemical mechanisms of oxidative stress. Namely, we have developed a series of photoactivated atomic oxygen/ozone precursors that are capable of generating atomic oxygen and ozone within a cell. Increasing levels of low altitude ozone pollution has been attributed to increased mortality in susceptible groups due to the detrimental impact of ozone on the cardiovascular system.

Using lipidomic approaches, we have been investigating new ozone-mediated lipid oxidation products and interrogating their role in cardiovascular disease. Since the levels of ozone pollution show no signs of abating, understanding the mechanisms of ozone toxicity is expected to remain an important area of cardiovascular research.