Day 2-Sunday
The comparative physiology seminars and posters are all being presented today (Monday) and tomorrow. Since there will be a comparative physiology symposium today on fuel utililization and energy metabolism, I decided to attend the symposium held yesterday morning on energy metabolism and how it relates to the pathology, treatment and prevention of obesity and diabetes. This was a fantastic session that provided much information on how changes in energy metabolism impacts human health. Leading researchers in this field who gave presentations were:
-Christopher Newgard, Duke University Medical Center
-Laurie Goodyear, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School
-Ralph DeFronzo, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio
-David M. Kendall, American Diabetes Association
This session was really beneficial for those interested in comparative physiology as well since many animals, especially pets, are currently suffering from obesity and diabetes.
The Claude Bernard Distinguished Lectureships of the American Physiological Society's Teaching Section are always inspiring for those of us who teach students. This year's featured speaker was Dr. P. K. Rangachari, Professor Emeritus at McMaster University in Canada. His talk was titled: "Steps to Pluripotent Learning: Unstrained, Undisciplined Teaching."
There were so many wonderful posters today on a myriad of topics in physiology. It is always fun interacting with students and other scientists at their posters. What a great way to find out what is happening right now in the field! I will write about my favorite topics after I get back from the meeting so that I can give them justice.
I really enjoyed the afternoon symposium on circadian clocks...you know those internal clocks that help us to differentiate between daytime and nighttime, etc. In this symposium I learned how these internal clocks may have a role in the cardiovascular system...who knew? The various talks were given by leading researchers in this field:
-"The cardiomyocyte circadian clock influences multiple myocardial processes." Dr. Martin Young, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
-"Circadian regulation of calcineurin signaling in the heart." Dr. Beverly Rothermel, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
-"Regulation of cardiovascular and metabolic function by circadian clocks." Dr. Garret FitzGerald, University of Pennsylvania. His research uses a comparative physiology approach by examining circadian clocks in mammalian cells, worms, fish and mice.
-"Circadian dyssynchrony as a cause of cardiovascular disease development." Dr. Tami Martino, University of Guelph, Canada.
This symposium was excellent and provided potential insight into how circadian clocks may impact not only humans but animals as well.
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