People
Thomas Adair, PhD
 | Professor |
Areas of expertise
- General: Cardiovascular and microcirculatory physiology, vascular biology
- Specific: Growth regulation
Biography
Dr. Adair pioneered work in the field of angiogenesis showing that oxygen is a major control element in growth regulation of the vascular system and was the first to prove that exercise stimulates production of vascular endothelial growth factor, a key proangiogenic substance. He has published more than 150 papers and reviews in the field over the past 30 years and has been a consultant for various governmental agencies. He is also an award-winning teacher, served on the National Review Board of Medical Examiners, and has authored or contributed to numerous physiology textbooks and review books.
Research methods and techniques
Methods for studying angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro include long-term electrical stimulation of skeletal muscles in rabbits, rats, and mice; chick embryo CAM and whole body assays; rat and mouse aortic ring angiogenesis assays; mouse left ventricular angiogenesis assay; in vivo angioreactor. Analytical methods: histology, morphometric and stereological analyses of the vasculature, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology methods for studying proangiogenic and antiangiogenic growth factors.