Description of Research Expertise
My laboratory is attempting to better understand the molecular physiology of human blood flukes such as Schistosoma mansoni. Schistosomes are parasitic flatworms that cause schistosomiasis. Approximately one sixth of the world's population is at risk for this disease, and hundreds of millions of people worldwide are infected with these parasites. The lab focuses on four major projects: the physiology of a schistosome TRP channels, ion channels involved in sensory functions; the role of schistosome multidrug resistance proteins in parasite physiology, and the interaction of these transporters with praziquantel, the drug of choice against schistosomiasis; the structure and function of schistosome voltage-gated Ca2+ (Cav) channels, and their role in praziquantel action; and development of point-of-contact molecular diagnostic tools. The methods we use include molecular biology, RNA interference, electrophysiology, heterologous expression, behavioral assays, and calcium imaging, among others.
Bais, S., Berry, C.T., Liu, X., Ruthel, G., Freedman, B.D., Greenberg, R.M. Atypical pharmacology of schistosome TRPA1-like ion channels. PLoS NTDs 12: e0006495, 2018.Greenberg, R.M., Doenhoff, M.J. Chemotherapy and drug resistance in schistosomiasis and other trematode and cestode infections Antimicrobial Drug Resistance: Mechanisms of Drug Resistance, 2nd Edition, Volume 1 : 705-734, 2017.Song, J., Liu, C., Mauk, M.G., Rankin, S., Lok, J.B., Greenberg, R.M., Bau, H.H. Two-stage isothermal enzymatic amplification for concurrent multiplex molecular detection. Clinical Chemistry 63: 712-722, 2017.Liu C, Liao SC, Song J, Mauk MG, Li X, Wu G, Ge D, Greenberg RM, Yang S, Bau HH A high-efficiency superhydrophobic plasma separator. Lab on a Chip 16: 553-560, 2016.Bais S, Greenberg RM TRP channels in schistosomes International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance 6: 335-342, 2016.Song J, Liu C, Bais S, Mauk MG, Bau HH, Greenberg RM Molecular detection of schistosome infections with a disposable microfluidic cassette. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 9: e0004318, 2015.Bais S, Churgin MA, Fang-Yen C, Greenberg RM Evidence for novel pharmacological sensitivities of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels in Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 9: :e0004295, 2015.Kasinathan RS, Sharma LK, Cunningham C, Webb TR, Greenberg RM Inhibition or knockdown of ABC transporters enhances susceptibility of adult and juvenile schistosomes to praziquantel PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 8: e3265, 2014.Greenberg RM Ion channels and drug transporters as targets for anthelmintics Current Clinical Microbiology Reports 1: 51-60, 2014.Greenberg RM Schistosome ABC multidrug transporters: From pharmacology to physiology International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance 4: 301-309, 2014.
BA (Earth and Planetary Sciences) The Johns Hopkins University, 1977Ph.D (Biology) University of Virginia , 1983
Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1985 to 1989)
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Virginia (1983 to 1984)
Postdoctoral Researcher