Margaret M Sedensky, MD

Professional History

Board Certified:

Anesthesiology

Medical/Professional School:

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver

Residency:

University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Clevelenad, Anesthesiology
University Hosptials Case medical Center, Cleveland, Surgery - General

Fellowship:

University of Washington, Seattle, Anesthesiology

Research Focus Area:

Genetics and Developmental Biology

Description of Research:

Our laboratory has a long-standing interest in the mechanism of action of volatile anesthetics. We have exploited the animal model C.elegans to examine this problem, primarily to use the powerful genetic tools available in this organism. This work has led us to appreciate the role of mitochondria in determing different aspects of behavior, including sensitivity to anesthetics.

Our current research includes translational studies to understand mitochondrial disease. We are exploring whether children with mitochondrial dysfunction are more sensitive to a gaseous anesthetic. In addition, we plan to study whether particular intravenous anesthetics are safe in children with mitochondrial disease.

Key Publications:

Falk, MJ, Kayser, EB, Morgan, PG, Sedensky, MM: Mitochondrial Complex I Function Modulates Volatile Anesthetic Sensitivity in C. elegans. Current Biol. 16: 1641-45, 2006

Carroll, BT, Sedensky, MM, Morgan, PG: Sulfonation of a signal from sensory neurons in C. elegans. J Biol Chem, 281,35989-35996, 2006.

Humphrey, JA, Hamming, KS, Thacker CM, Scott RL, Sedensky, MM, Snutch TP, Morgan, PG, Nash HA. An Unusual Cation Channel and its Novel Regulator Show Cross-Species Conservation of Effects on General Anesthesia, Current Biol, 17(7):624-9, 2007

Morgan, PG, Kayser, E-B, Sedensky, MM. C. elegans and Volatile Anesthetics. Wormbook, 2007, http://www.wormbook.org/.

Falk, MJ, Zhang Z, Rosenjack JR, Nissim I, Daikhin E, Nissim I, Sedensky MM, Yudkoff M, Morgan PG. Metabolic pathway profiling of mitochondrial respiratory chain mutants in C. elegans. Molec Genet Metab. 93(4):388-97, 2008

Honors & Awards:

BB Sankey Anesthesia Advancement Award
Swedish Medical Society Medal of Honor