My research involves investigating the mechanisms of cellular nitric oxide (NO) consumption.  Nitric oxide plays a critical role in setting vascular tone by relaxing the smooth muscle tissue surrounding resistance vessels.  The ability of NO to stimulate relaxation is primarily a function of its concentration.  The concentration of NO is set by two distinct processes: its production by nitric oxide synthases; and its consumption by red blood cells and tissues.  While much is known about NO production and consumption by erythrocytes, much less is known about how other cell types consume NO, though it has been shown that various non-erythroid cells do indeed have a robust NO consuming activity.  It is the focus of my research to determine the intracellular sites and molecular mechanisms behind this consumption.

Charlie graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1993 with a degree in Classical History.  In 2002 he finished a Masters degree in Biology from the University of New Orleans, before joining Jack Lancaster at the LSU Health Science Center.  When the Lancaster Lab moved to UAB in the summer of 2002, Charlie came along for the ride.