Darrin Demoss

Degrees, Licensures and Certifications: B.S. - Biology, Morehead State University; M.S. - Biology, Morehead State University; Ph.D. - Biology, Marshall University
Research Interests: The research focus of Dr. DeMoss' laboratory is to address an important scientific question in the field of skeletal physiology and to utilize it as a vehicle to expose undergraduate students to active research. The long-term goal of his research program is to shed some light on the intricate mechanisms mediating age-related osteoporosis. Various types of experimentation focusing on the effects of estrogen and calcium channel antagonists on skeletal physiology are required to decipher such an intricate regulatory situation necessitating the use of techniques at the cellular, molecular and organismal levels of organization. Currently, the major focus of DeMoss' activities is to decipher the impact of estrogen and calcium channel antagonists and their ability to alter cellular responses such as the expression of phenotypic markers associated with bone formation or bone resorption. The activities in his laboratory focus on estrogen's involvement in mechanisms affecting both the osteoblast and osteoclast cell lineages and what impact its removal has on their cultured cell phenotypes. DeMoss is currently examining the hypothesis that calcium transport into and out of osteoblasts is regulated by estrogen and that its regulation can be altered by calcium channel antagonists thus influencing osteoclast activity. These studies may help shed light on the increase in osteoporosis over the past 20 years, particularly within the male population, instead of simply attributing it to a longer life span. It is known that there is about a ten-year lag in the age-related rise in cardiovascular mortality in women compared to men. This difference has been attributed to the protective action of estrogen and, following menopause, it has been attributed to hormone replacement therapy. These various scientific projects will expand the breadth of research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students increasing the number of students engaged in independent research projects.

Selected Publications

• Ashley, L., S. Ganguly, R. Grey, G. Howard, C. Pendleton, L. Castle, M. Fultz, D. Peyton, and D. DeMoss. Characterization of Osteoblastic Properties of 7F2 and UMR-106 Cultures after Acclimation to Reduced Levels of Fetal Bovine Serum. Canadian Journal of Physiology. 86(7): 403-415, 2008.
• Geng, W., D. DeMoss and G. Wright. Effect of Calcium Stress on the Skeleton Mass of Intact and Ovariectomized Rats. Life Science. 66(24): 2309-2321, 2000.
• Wright, G. and D. DeMoss. Evidence for Increased Bone Turnover in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Metabolism. 49(9): 1130-1133, 2000.
• Wright, G., D. DeMoss, and W. Geng. Analysis of Skeletal Development on the Basis of Body Mass and Bone Resorption. Life Science. 67(24): 1397-1407, 2000.
• DeMoss, D. and G. Wright. Sex and Strain Differences in Whole Skeletal Development in the Rat. Calcified Tissue International. 62: 153-157, 1998.
• DeMoss, D. L. and G. L. Wright. Skeletal Compartmentalization and Metabolism of Calcium in the Maturing Male and Female Rat. Calcified Tissue International. 61: 412-417, 1997.