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Joseph Metzger , Ph.D. Professor and Chair, Dept. of Integrative Biology and Physiology E-mail: metzgerj@umn.edu

Research Interests:

Joseph M. Metzger is Professor and Chair of Integrative Biology and Physiology at the University of Minnesota 's School of Medicine . He holds the Maurice B. Visscher Endowed Chair in Physiology.

The Metzger lab is a dynamic and interactive research group that spans from graduate students to postdoctoral and clinical fellows, and includes undergraduates, visiting professors and research associates. Lab expertise ranges from physiologists, virologists, bioengineers, cardiologists, surgeons, and molecular and cellular biologists. The lab welcomes new investigators from diverse academic backgrounds who share the ultimate goal of translating basic science insights into potential clinical therapies for inherited muscle diseases. The lab features genetic engineering of muscle cells and utilizes state-of-the-art viral vector systems for experimental genetic therapeutics directed at remediation of neuromuscular and cardiovascular disorders. The Metzger lab recently developed a Molecular band-aid for muscle defects of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Metzger serves as chair of the scientific advisory board of Phrixus Inc. a biotech company pursuing this technology for application in human patients.

Selected Publications:

(For a comprehensive list of recent publications, refer to PubMed, a service provided by the National Library of Medicine.)

Yasuda S, Townsend D, Michele DE, Favre EG, Day SM, and Metzger JM . Dystrophic Heart Failure Blocked by Membrane Sealant Poloxamer. Nature , 18:1025-9. 2005.

Day SM, Westfall MV, Fomicheva EV, La Cross N, Yasuda S, Hoyer K, Ingwall JS, Metzger JM . Histidine Button Engineered into Cardiac Troponin I Protects the Heart from Ischemic Contractile Failure. Nature Medicine, Feb; 12(2):181-9 2006.

Chamberlain JS, Metzger JM , Reyes M, Townsend D and Faulkner J. Dystrophin-deficient mdx mice display a reduced life span and are susceptible to spontaneous rhabdomyosarcoma. The FASEB Journal . July; 21:1-10, 2007.

Townsend D, Yasuda S, Li S, Chamberlain JS, Metzger JM . Emergent dilated cardiomyopathy caused by targeted repair of dystrophic skeletal muscle. Molecular Therapy. 16(5):832-5, 2008.

Davis J, Westfall MV, Townsend D, Blankinship M, Herron TJ, Guerrero-Serna G, Wang W, Devaney E, Metzger JM. Designing heart performance by gene transfer. Physiological Reviews Oct;88(4):1567-651, 2008.

Fomicheva EV, Turner II, Edwards YG, Hoff J, Arden E, D'Alecy LG, Metzger JM . Double oxygen- sensing vector system for robust hypoxia/ischemia-regulated gene induction in cardiac muscle in vitro and in vivo. Molecular Therapy. 16(9):1594-601, 2008.