Basic Sciences,

School of Veterinary Medicine

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Behrooz Fathi H., DVM, PhD

PhD in Molecular Pharmacology,

Strathclyde University,

Glasgow, UK (2002)

Research Interests: Investigation the properties of snakes venom as a potential  pharmacological tools.

 
Text Box: Study of the ion channels and their functions especially in the neuromuscular junction by use of some neurotoxins e.g. snake, scorpion and spider venoms is my research interest. Snake venoms such as Cobras, Mambas, Vipers and Echis carinatus venoms in particular, have provided a large variety of specific tools for pharmacological research like ion channels blockers. Also discovery of new venoms from poisonous animals in Iran and study of their mechanism of action is my interest. These toxins along with some modern electrophysiological techniques like patch-clamp and twitch tension recording can provide strong research tools. The patch clamp is a relatively new technique in biological science. “Patch” refers to small piece of cell membrane and “clamp” has an electro-technical connotation. Patch-clamp means imposing a defined voltage on a membrane patch in order to measure the resulting currents under investigation. The technique was originally developed to observe ionic current flowing through single channels in cell membrane because it is the most direct and meaningful way to study how the activity of an individual channel protein is modulated by physiological factors. I have experience of whole cell patch clamp recording of ionic currents from different cell types. Text Box: The patch-clamp technique allows to isolate and study ion channels. Hamill et al., 1981, Pflügers Arch. 391: 85-100). A high resistance seal is established between the glass of the pipette and the plasma membrane of the cell. Recording currents correspond either to the opening of active ion channels under the pipette (inside-out configuration) or to the opening of all active ion channels present at the cell surface (whole-cell configuration). Dashed line refers to the zero current. Text Box: Current Research Projects Investigation the effect of Theranekron from spider tarantula cubensis’s venom on wound healing in dog. A short review on voltage-gated potassium channels Introducing the Patch-Clamp technique Text Box: Teaching Pharmacology I & II for DVM students The veterinary pharmacology courses are presented in two semesters. The aim is to familiarize students with current knowledge of pharmacology in selected areas and make them ready for clinical practice. This will be achieved by introducing different aspects of pharmacology, explaining and developing an understanding of the principles of pharmacology such as source of drugs, their mechanisms of action, receptors, administration routes, pharmaceutical forms, side effects, interactions, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. After these basic subjects, the effects of different drugs which are used to treat sick animals for the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, digestive, peripheral nervous and central nervous systems diseases or disorders will be explained. Also, we will teach different major classes of drugs such as antibiotics, anti-parasite drugs, diuretics drugs etc. In addition, students have a chance to do some experimental work in the laboratory of pharmacology to recognize the fundamental methods used in pharmacological research and are able to use basic research equipment. Students should submit a written report of the experiments which they do in the laboratory. Assessment for this course is based on student's progress evaluated in mid-term and final examinations. Husbandry of laboratory animals for Higher diploma students of biological products This course which presented in one semester explain to how to work with laboratory animals. Starting with introducing the laboratory animals and cover several subjects including: General Biology and biological characteristics and behavior, basic husbandry, identification, handling and restraint, transport, sexing and breeding. euthanasia. Dissection of laboratory animals for Higher diploma students of biological products This course which presented also in one semester explains to how to work with laboratory animals, blood collection and administration of fluids and drugs. This course mainly including the dissection of these animals. The students also learn the anatomy of laboratory animals. Text Box: Publications Behrooz Fathi H, Rowan EG. Harvey AL (2001). The facilitatory actions of snake venom phospholipase A2 neurotoxins at the neuromuscular junction are not mediated through voltage-gated K+ channels (Toxicon 39, 1871-1882). Behrooz Fathi H, Rowan EG. Harvey AL (2001). The triphasic effects of snake venom phospholipase A2 neurotoxins on neuromuscular transmission and the antagonistic effect of suramin (in preparation). Sonal Dubey, Jindal DP, Poonam Piplani, Louse C. Young, Behrooz Fathi, and Alan L, Harvey (2005). Synthesis and neuromuscular blocking activity pf 16ß-Piperidino eplandrosterone derivatives. Medical chemistry research, 14:4, 220-240. Attending and contribution to scientific congress Kamran Sardari, Behrooz Fathi H (1995). Internal plate fixation in third metacarpal bone fraction in a Foal. (Presented in 25th World Veterinary Congress, Yokohama, Japan, June, 1995) Behrooz Fathi H, Kamran Sardari (1995). Surgical approach for equine abdominal surgery. (Presented in 25th World Veterinary Congress, Yokohama, Japan, June, 1995). Behrooz Fathi H, Rowan EG. Harvey AL (2000). The facilitatory actions of snake venom phospholipase A2 neurotoxins at the neuromuscular junction are not mediated through voltage-gated K+ channels. (Presented in 13th World Congress of The International Society on Toxicology, Paris, September 18-22, 2000). Behrooz Fathi H (2006). A preliminary study of the effect of fenbendazole on hydatid cyst in mice. (Presented in 11th International Congress of Parasitolog, Glasgow, Scotland, UK, 2006). Rezaei M, Fathi B, Sardari K (2007). Macroscopic evaluation of effects of Theranekron on open wound healing in dog. (Presented in 2nd International Symposium of Veterinary Surgery, Kerman, Iran, 2007). Behrooz Fathi H (2007). Antagonistic effect of suramin on snake venom neurotoxins. (Presented in 15th Iranian Veterinary Congress, Tehran, Iran, 2007). Text Box: Contact Phone: +98 (511) 8788944 Fax: +98 (511) 8763853 E-mail: bfathi@um.ac.ir behrooz840@yahoo.com The head, Department of Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Azadi Square, Mashhad, Iran POBox: 1793