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Karen P. Kerr

Photo of Dr Kerr

Lecturer (level B)

BSc Rhodes University, South Africa
Dip Pharm Technikon Witwatersrand, South Africa
BSc (Hons) University of the Witwatersrand
PhD in Pharmacology Monash University

Phone: +61 3 990 39569
Fax:     +61 3 990 39638
email: Karen.Kerr@pharm.monash.edu.au

General Research Interests

  • Screening of novel peptides using bioassays
  • Pharmacology of receptors and signaling
  • Urogenital pharmacology
  • 5-HT receptor pharmacology
  • Histamine
  • Tachykinins

Current Research Areas

  • Screening of compounds for activity at tachykinin receptors
  • Elucidation of cell signaling mechanisms in the guinea-pig prostate using organ bath studies
  • Characterisation of 5-HT receptors in the mouse bladder
  • Studies on the effects of oestrogen on neuropeptide receptor populations in the uterus and
    bladder using aromatase knock-out mice

Significant Publications

  1. Chetty N., Coupar I.M., Chess-Williams R. and Kerr K.P. (2007) Demonstration of 5-HT3 receptor function and expression in the mouse bladder.  Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch Pharmacol. 375: 359-368.
  2. Kerr K.P. (2006) The effect of histamine on field-stimulated contractions of the guinea-pig prostate.  Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch Pharmacol 373: 237-244.
  3. Kerr K.P. (2002) The guinea-pig oesophagus is a versatile in vitro preparation for pharmacological studies. Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 29: 1047-1054
  4. Kerr K.P., Thai B. and Coupar I.M. (2000) Tachykinin-induced contraction of the guinea-pig oesophageal mucosa is mediated by NK2 receptors. Br. J. Pharmacol. 131: 1461-1467
  5. Kerr K.P. (2000) Effects of tachykinin receptor agonists and antagonists on the isolated oesophagus of the guinea-pig. Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 27: 934-938
  6. Kerr K.P., Mitchelson F. and Coupar I.M. (2000) Tachykinins play a minor role in mediating the third phase of the contractile response to vagal nerve stimulation of the guinea-pig oesophagus. Neuropeptides 34: 12-17
  7. Kerr K.P., Mitchelson F. and Coupar I.M. (1997). Tachykinin receptors in the guinea-pig isolated oesophagus: a complex system. Br. J. Pharmacol. 120: 1021-1028
  8. Kerr K.P., Mitchelson F. and Coupar I.M. (1995). Vagal nerve stimulation of the guinea-pig oesophagus. Acta Physiol Scand. 154: 213-220
  9. Kerr K.P., Stevenson J.E. and Mitchelson F. (1995). Simultaneous comparison of nicotinic receptor antagonists on three nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 47: 1002-1006
  10. Gard P.R., Fawcett J.P., Kerr K.P. and Neale T.J. (1992). Effects of steroid hormones and immunosuppressant drugs on defences against uterine microbial contamination in the rat. Gynecol. Obstet. Invest. 34: 31-35
  11. Gard P.R., Fawcett J.P. and Kerr K.P. (1991). Reduction of salbutamol-induced drinking by putative and proven antidepressants. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 197: 217-219
  12. Gard P.R. and Kerr K.P. (1990). Behavioural evidence of beta2-adrenoceptor 'down regulation' within 21 hours of a single dose of desipramine. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 183: 2054
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