Neil Detweiler

• Vertebrate Physiology
• Developmental Biology
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II
• Human Pathophysiology (graduate and undergraduate)
• Biology Department Junior and Senior Seminar Courses in the area of cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology (see research section below)
• Identity, Culture, and Community

Bovine Pulmonary Physiology

My current research investigates the contributions of ion channels to blood vessels in the lungs of yaks and common domesticated cattle. Both species are members of the Bovidae family, but yaks have evolved unique adaptations for living at high altitude where there is low oxygen. For example, the arteries of yak lungs are resistant to a phenomenon known as hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) which causes increased pulmonary blood pressure in many animals that are exposed to high-altitude conditions. Several ion channels have been reported to underly the process of HPV in other species but have not been closely examined in yaks. The goal of this research is to determine the identity and electrophysiological properties of ion channels in yak pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This research aims to improve our understanding of the regulation of pulmonary artery constriction, which plays a role in pulmonary hypertension, a disease with limited treatment options that afflicts both humans and domesticated cattle.

Detweiler ND, Herbert LM, Garcia SM, Yan S, Vigil KG, Sheak JR, Resta TC, Walker BR, and Jernigan NL. Loss of Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 2 Enhances Pulmonary Vascular Resistance and Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension. J Appl Physiol 2019

Detweiler ND, Vigil KG, Resta TC, Walker BR, and Jernigan NL. Contribution of Acid-Sensing Ion Channels to Hypoxia- and Hypercapnia-Induced Ventilatory Drive in Conscious Unrestrained Mice. PLoS ONE 13(2): e0192724 · January 2018

Jernigan NL, Naik JS, Detweiler ND, Herbert LM, Yellowhair TR, and Resta TC. Contribution of Reactive Oxygen Species to the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. PLoS ONE. 12(6):e0180455 · June 2017

Detweiler ND, Song L, McClenehan SJ, Versluis RJ, Kharade SV, Kurten RC, Rhee SW, and Rusch NJ. BK Channels in Rat and Human Pulmonary Smooth Muscle Cells are α-β1 Functional Complexes Lacking the Oxygen-Sensitive STREX Insert. Pulm Circ 2016, 6:4:563-576.

Hirenallur-S DK, Detweiler ND, Haworth ST, Leming JT, Gordon JB, and Rusch NJ. Furegrelate, a thromboxane synthase inhibitor, blunts the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension in neonatal piglets.  Pulm Circ 2012, 2:2:193-200.