Emory University School of Medicine
Joshua D. Chandler, PhD | Assistant Professor of Pediatrics | Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
My lab focuses on the role of myeloperoxidase, an enzyme highly abundant in neutrophils and that produces an array of oxidants, in the disease. A major focus is to study the divergent roles of oxidants generated by myeloperoxidase by modulating their levels and determining genetic and metabolic responses of airway cells exposed to them. The significance of this concept was explored in depth in a recent book chapter (ISBN 9781003212287, Chapter Eight). Major goals of my lab include identifying mechanisms of hypochlorous acid production via myeloperoxidase release by neutrophils infiltrating cystic fibrosis airways; characterizing myeloperoxidase modification in cystic fibrosis airways; and identifying ways oxidant switching by myeloperoxidase substrates like thiocyanate may protect lung tissue from irreversible damage that promotes feed-forward inflammation.
A major technical element of the Chandler Laboratory is state-of-the-art mass spectrometry to conduct untargeted metabolomics experiments in basic, translational, and clinical samples. In addition to cystic fibrosis, we have experience with metabolomics research in clinical populations and/or models of asthma, COVID-19, diabetes (including CF-related diabetes), influenza, leukemia, and tuberculosis. We also have major expertise in redox-accurate analysis of clinical samples to accurately determine the redox state of antioxidant molecules such as glutathione and cysteine. Some recent examples of our metabolomics studies: PMIDs 30190273, 36096204, 35173021, 27558316.
An emerging and significant interest of the lab, in CF and other diseases, is non-invasive sampling methods for biomarker detection. These include exhaled breath condensate, exhaled breath aerosols (other capture methods), sputum, nasal washes, and sweat. While I was a postdoc, I was the first author of an original article detailing an extremely sensitive method for thiocyanate detection in exhaled breath condesate by GC-MS (PMID 30144632).
Saturday, November 5, 2022
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM ET