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overview
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Dr. Haro’s research program has centered on the identification, isolation and characterization of new human pituitary and placental hormones (growth hormones/cytokines/chemokines) and delineation of their biological roles in normal physiology (metabolism, growth, differentiation, aging, immunology, brain function) and abnormal physiology (cancer, diabetes, HIV infection). The hormones studied include synthetic mutants (site-directed mutants, deletion mutants), naturally occurring hormones, and post-translational or alternatively spliced hormones. After isolation of these hormones, their structures are determined and their biopotencies were tested in a variety of in vitro (cell culture and organ explant culture) and in vivo bioassays that measure the immunologic, lactogenic, metabolic, physiologic, and anatomic affects associated with these hormones. These types of studies help us understand the structure-function relationships of these hormones. In order to carry out physiological investigations of these hormones, the lab has developed novel protein separation methodologies, radioimmunoassays, radioreceptorassays, and immunological techniques used for their isolation, detection, and quantification in tissues and in biological fluids. The study of these hormones and their receptors help us understand how they regulate cell and organ function in normal and abnormal physiology.
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