University of Arizona · BiologyThe Diaphragm Dynamics Lab
Coen Ottenheijm · Tucson, Arizona
Research Focus
Dr. Coen Ottenheijm's lab at the University of Arizona focuses on understanding how the diaphragm muscle functions in health and in conditions like mechanical ventilation. By studying the interactions between key proteins in the diaphragm, particularly titin and myosin, the lab aims to uncover the reasons behind diaphragm weakness, especially in ICU patients. This research has implications for improving the management of patients requiring prolonged ventilation.
diaphragmtitinmyosinmechanical ventilationmuscle weaknessrespiration
Research Aims
3AIM 01Determine the SRX state of myosin in diaphragm biopsies from ICU patients.
AIM 02Investigate the role of RLC phosphorylation in the SRX state of myosin.
AIM 03Assess the mechanical effects of titin on myosin regarding the SRX state during mechanical ventilation.
Skills the Lab Values
PCRbiopsy analysismass spectrometrycell culturemouse modelsX-ray diffractionmechanical testingprotein purificationbiochemical assayspost-translational modification analysis
Output against the department
Publications213top 30% of dept.309th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations7.2kbottom 49% of dept.523rd of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.