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| Name |
Campbell, Kevin P. |
| Location
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University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine |
| Primary Field
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Medical Physiology and Metabolism |
| Secondary Field
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Physiology and Pharmacology |
 Election Citation
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Campbell has elucidated the mechanisms that cause various forms of muscular dystrophy. He has identified key components that connect the cell cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix, and their alterations in health and disease. His studies have profound clinical implications for diagnosing and treating these diseases. |
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Research Interests
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Research in my laboratory is focused on understanding the molecular, cellular and physiological basis of various forms of muscular dystrophy, and on developing therapeutic strategies to treat these diseases. My early studies at the University of Iowa focused on elucidating the structure and function of calcium channels and calcium release channels (ryanodine receptors) in skeletal muscle. For the past twenty years, however, my laboratory has actively investigated the molecular pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy. We have used biochemical, cell biological, genetic and physiological techniques to identify and define disease mechanisms that cause various forms of muscular dystrophy. We cloned and characterized dystroglycan, and demonstrated that it links the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix in skeletal muscle. My studies on dystroglycan have since led to significant insights into its basic function as an extracellular matrix receptor in skeletal muscle, its role in the maintenance of muscle-cell membrane integrity and its role in the molecular pathogenesis of glycosylation-deficient muscular dystrophy. |
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