Biography

Education

Research Interests

Our research emphasis pertains to natural toxins which interact specifically with receptor Site 1 (saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin), Site 2 (batrachotoxin, veratridine, and aconitine), and Site 5 (brevetoxins and ciguatoxin) associated with voltage-sensitive sodium channels. Our current molecular pharmacology work requires derivatization of each of these classes of toxin for use in biochemical investigations of the binding phenomena. Computer modelling of proposed derivatives, including structure-function relationships between receptor and toxin ligand, aids in our efforts to describe the 3-dimensional characteristics of each toxin binding site. A second avenue of research pertains to the development of specific binding assays for marine seafood toxins, with the express end product being colorometric detection kits for public health use. Current work centers on preparing immunological reagents for assay development, with future aspects involving the specific membrane-bound toxin receptor in in vitro microtitre plate formats and biosensor technology.

Recent Publications

Whitney, P.L, Delgado, J.A, and Baden, D.G. (1997) Complex Behavior of Marine Animal Tissue Extracts in Competitive Binding Assay of Brevetoxins with Rat Brain Synaptosomes. Natural Toxins, 5 (4):1-8

Bossart, G.D., Baden, D.G., Ewing, R, Roberts, B. and Wright, S. (1998) Brevetoxicosis in Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) from the 1996 Epizootic: Gross, Histopathologic and Immunihistochemical Features. Toxicologic Pathology, 26 (2):276-282.

Jeglitsh, G., Rein, K., Baden, D.G. and Adams, D.J. (1998) Brevetoxin-3 (PbTX-30) and its derivatives Modulate Single Titrodoxin-Sensitive Sodium Channles in Rat Sensory Neurons. J. of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 284 (2): 516-525.

National Research Council Ocean Studies Board Report: "The Ocean's Role in Human Health", edited by William Fenical, (1998).