My main area of interest deals with the application of multinuclear NMR and fluorescence techniques to the investigation of the biochemical basis of manic-depression and hypertension. In addition to developing spectroscopic methods for monitoring metal ion transport and binding, we have applied multinuclear NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy to the investigation of the abnormal transport and binding properties of Li+, Na+, and Mg2+ ions in red blood cells, neuroblastoma cells, and purified G (guanine-binding) proteins. Multinuclear NMR and fluorescence methods provide non-invasive tools for monitoring metal ion transport in biological tissues. Moreover, they also provide new information at a molecular level concerning binding of metal ions to cell membranes and intracellular components. This information is essential for obtaining an understanding of the roles of metal ions in biological fluids in healthy and disease states.
