Lee E. Limbird, Ph.D.
Vice President, Office for Research
Interim Chair, Cardiovascular Biology

(615) 327-6063
(615) 327-6144 (Fax)
1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Boulevard
WBS 2203
Nashville, TN  37208

llimbird@mmc.edu

CV or Bio (PDF)

B.A., College of Wooster, Ohio 1970; Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1973
Postdoctoral Fellow with Robert J. Lefkowitz, M.D. at Duke University

Dr. Limbird’s research Interests over the last two decades have focused on α₂ adrenergic receptors, their interactions with other proteins, their various signaling pathways, their trafficking, and their in vivo functions. The development of genetically modified mice in her laboratory allowed the identification of the role of the α_2Α adrenergic receptor subtype in central control of blood pressure, suppression of epileptogenesis, decreasing pain perception, sensitization to volatile anesthetics, and sedation. Similarly, the recent development in her laboratory of mice expressing an epitope-tagged α_2Α adrenergic receptor at its native locus will allow the study of the in vivo relevance of receptor trafficking on acute and chronic signaling pathways.

Currently, Dr Limbird continues her research via collaboration with Meharry investigators and others nationally, but is focusing her efforts on mentoring faculty and trainees in her role as Interim Chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Biology and in fostering bench-to-beside-to-community research by enhancing research infrastructure for these efforts in her role of Vice President for Research.

Wang Q, Lu R, Zhao J, Limbird LE.  Arrestin serves as a molecular switch, linking endogenous alpha2-adrenergic receptor to SRC-dependent, but not SRC-independent, ERK activation.  J Biol Chem. 281:25948-55. 2006.

Wang, Q., Zhao, J., Brady, A.E., Feng, J., Allen, P.B., Greengard, P., and Limbird, L.E.  Spinophilin Blocks Arrestin Actions in Vitro and in Vivo at G Protein-Coupled Receptors.  Science, 304:1940-4, 2004.   

Tan, C.M. , Wilson, M.H., MacMillan, L.B., Kobilka, B.K., and Limbird, L.E.  Heterozygous Alpha2A-adrenergic Receptor Mice Unveil Unique Therapeutic Benefits of Partial Agonists.  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 99(19):12471-6, 2002.

Limbird, L. E. The receptor concept: A continuing evolution.  Molecular Interventions 4: 326-336, 2005.

Tan, C.M., Nickols, H.H., Brady, A.E., Wang, Q., and Limbird, L.E.  Membrane Trafficking of G Protein-Coupled Receptors.  Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. & Toxicol., 44:559-609, 2004.