1970-1974 Michigan State University, B.S., Zoology
1974-1976 Michigan State University, M.S., Physiology
1976-1979 Michigan State University, Ph.D., Physiology
1977-1980 Michigan State University, M.S.
1980-1983 University of Virginia, Postdoctoral Fellow
1983-1989 Medical College of Georgia, Physiology & Endocrinology, Assistant Professor
1989 Medical College of Georgia, Physiology & Endocrinology, Associate Professor
1989-1994 Western Michigan University, Biological Sciences, Associate Professor
1994-2005 Western Michigan University, Biological Sciences, Professor
2005-Present Michigan State University, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Professor
2007 - Present Director, Online Masters Program in Integrative Pharmacology
Ongoing studies in Dr. Jackson’s laboratory seek to understand how arterioles in the microcirculation sense their environment and how changes in the environment alter the contractile function of vascular muscle cells in the walls of these microvessels. In particular he has had a long-term interest in the site in tissues where changes in oxygen are sensed and how such changes alter the contractile function of arteriolar muscle cells. Using techniques such as intravital videomicroscopy, single cell contraction, immunohistochemistry, in vivo fluorescence microscopy, ratiometric calcium imaging, patch clamping, isolated cannulated arterioles and conventional microelectrode methods, the Jackson lab seeks to understand the role played by oxygenases, such as the 5-lipoxygenase and cytochromes P-450, in the sensing of oxygen, and the molecular mechanisms involved in oxygen-dependent changes in arteriolar muscle cell function with particular emphasis on the role played by ion channels in both smooth muscle and endothelial cells in this process.
Selected Achievements since 2001
2003-2007 National Institutes of Health, Charter member Vascular Cell and Molecular Biology Study Section
2001-2004 American Journal of Physiology, Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Editorial Board.
1995-2004 Journal of Vascular Research, Editorial Board
2001-2004 Journal of Investigative Surgery, Editorial Board.
1999-2004 Associate Editor, Microcirculation
2004-2009 Editor-in-Chief, Microcirculation
Selected Samples of Publications Since 2001
Jackson, W.F. Potassium channels in skeletal muscle circulation. In Potassium channels in the cardiovascular biology , Eds. S.L. Archer and N.J. Rusch, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, 2001, pp. 505-522.
Bukoski, R.D., S. Shearin, W.F. Jackson, and M.F. Pamarthi. Inhibition of Ca2+-induced relaxation by oxided tungsten wires and paratungstate. J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 299(1): 343-350, 2001.
Bukoski, R.D., S. Batkai, J. Járai, Y. Wang, W.F. Jackson and G. Kunos. The CB1 Receptor Antagonist SR141716A Inhibits Ca2+-Induced Relaxation in CB1 Receptor Deficient Mice. Hypertension 39(2): 251-257, 2002.
Cohen, K.D. and W.F. Jackson. Hypoxia inhibits contraction but not calcium channel currents or changes in intracellular calcium in arteriolar muscle cells. Microcirculation 10: 133-141, 2003.
Burns, W. R. , K.D. Cohen and W.F. Jackson. K+-induced dilation of hamster cremasteric arterioles involves both the Na+/K+ ATPase and inward-rectifier K+ channels. Microcirculation, 11(3): 279-293, 2004.
Jackson, W.F. Ion channels and arteriolar tone, in Microvascular Research: Biology and Pathology, Volume 1, Chapter 34, edited by David Shepro, Academic Press, pages 221-228, 2005.
Jackson, W.F. Potassium Channels in the Peripheral Microcirculation. Microcirculation, 12(1): 113-127, 2005.
Cohen, K.D. and W.F. Jackson. Membrane hyperpolarization is not required for sustained muscarinic receptor-mediated increases in Ca2+ in arteriolar endothelial cells. Microcirculation 12(2): 169-182, 2005.