Dr. Craig Hanke

 

Associate Professor

Office: LS 403
Phone: (920) 465-5039
E-mail: hankec@uwgb.edu
Education: Ph.D. Medical College of Wisconsin
Courses: Introduction to Human Biology, Human Physiology,
                Human Physiology Lab, Science and Religion, Neurobiology
                Comparative Physiology

Research Interests:
Regulation of aldosterone secretion from the adrenal zona glomerulosa cell The maintenance of blood pressure within a relatively narrow range is critically important for the long-term health of the cardiovascular system.  Salt excretion rate is a primary
mechanism used by the body to maintain water balance and thereby to regulate blood pressure.  The steroid hormone aldosterone is produced by the adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) cell and causes the kidney to retain sodium.  My research involves isolating ZG cells from fresh bovine adrenal glands, growing them in culture in the laboratory and measuring aldosterone secretion in response to various treatments.  Current studies in my laboratory are examining the role of a transporter protein within the ZG cell membrane. This protein appears to be an organic anion transporter and can be inhibited by the drug probenecid.  I am currently investigating the role of this transporter protein in aldoster­one release. The secondary focus of my research is to examine the mecha­nisms controlling intracellular calcium release within the ZG cell. It is known that increasing intracellular calcium con­centration is required for ZG cell aldosterone secretion. The fluorescent calcium indi­cator dye FLUO-3 AM can be used in conjunction with a fluorescent microscope to measure intracellular calcium concentration changes. In current experiments, I have been attempting to deter­mine the spatial and temporal patterns of calcium release within the ZG cell at various stimulation intensities.