Jerod Denton, Ph.D.

Dr. Denton leads a research team in the Denton Laboratory, with a primary focus is on developing small-molecule probes for members of the inward rectifier family of potassium (Kir) channels, which play key physiological roles in cardiac, neuronal, endocrine and epithelial cell function. An emerging body of genetic evidence suggests that certain members of the Kir channel family represent novel drug targets for hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, secretory diarrhea and pain. Over the last three years, the Denton Laboratory has worked closely with researchers in Vanderbilt's High-throughput Screening Center for GPCRs, Ion Channels and Transporters, and the Center for Accelerated Probe Development to deploy a National Institutes of Health-funded drug discovery campaign directed toward the founding member of the Kir channel family and putative diuretic target Kir1.1. This work is expected to provide critically-needed pharmacological tools with which to probe the structure, integrative physiology and therapeutic potential of clinically-important inward rectifying potassium channels.

Education
Ph.D., Dartmouth Medical School M.S, B.S., University of Central Arkansas