Manuel R. Gonzalez-Brito, DO

Assistant Professor of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

tel: 305-585-6051

Education

University of Miami/Holtz Childrens Hospital Miami, FL	Fellowship	Pediatric Critical Care Medicine	2005
University of Miami/Holtz Childrens Hospital Miami, FL	Residency	Pediatrics	2001
Nova-Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine Ft. lauderdale, FL	DO		1997

Our work began by studying an important family of axon growth and guidance proteins called Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases (RPTPs). We examined the neuronal ligand functions of predominant developmental isoforms of the type IIa Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase delta (PTP-d). As a result, we cloned a novel full-length PTP-d isoform de novo and assigned unique ligand functions to specific fibronectin type III repeats of the extra cellular domain. These findings were presented at the 2004 FASEB summer conference, and later published as a peer-reviewed manuscript entitled, “Differential activities in adhesion and neurite growth of fibronectin type III repeats in the PTP-d extracellular domain”. In addition, we began to examine RPTP mouse mutants. This led to the development of important findings that show that PTP-RO protein helps regulate sensory guidance and affects function. Thus, we continue to examine Receptor Phosphatases in sensory development and response to injury. Our research goal is that this work will contribute to the understanding and treatment of children who suffer from nerve injury and disuse, with a basic science focus in mechanisms of pain as well as neuronal injury and repair.

Clinical Specialties

Post operative cardiothoracic critical care and pain management

Research Interests

Critically-ill children incur damage to their nerves from disuse, direct injury, and complications of life-saving care, resulting in loss of function and significant pain. Therefore, we are interested in examining how nerves grow and respond to injury, including pain responses. We aim to accomplish this by studying sensory axon development and the response to injury in mice lacking an important family of genes responsible for nerve growth and repair called Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases (RPTPs).  Receptor phosphatases help regulate sensory function, including pain responses.Thus our researchgoal is to contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms controlling sensory function and repair, a prerequisite for developing new therapies to limit pain and improve functional outcome.

Publications

Awards & Recognition

• Resident Fellow, Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society
  
• Fellow of the Pediatric Scientist Developmental Program
  NICHD Grant Award K12-HD00850-18
• Outstanding Pediatric Research Award
  Thirteenth Annual Fellows Scientific Session, University of Miami, Department of Pediatrics
• Best Doctor- Florida
  
• Super Doctor- Florida
  
• Scholar of the Pediatric Critical Care Scientist Development Program
  NICHD Grant Award K12-HD047349-04