Robert B Sanders

Robert B. Sanders
  • Emeritus Professor
  • (1938-2022)

Contact Info

Biography —

Robert B. Sanders was the KU associate vice chancellor emeritus and professor emeritus in molecular biosciences.  He came to KU in 1966 to teach biological chemistry. He served as associate dean of Research, Graduate Studies and Public Services (now the Office of Graduate Studies) from 1987 to 1996 and as associate vice chancellor from 1989 to 1996. His major research interests at KU were the biochemistry of hormone action, the biochemistry of reproduction, and uterine biochemistry.

He also wrote a book entitled “Contributions of African American Scientists to the Fields of Science, Medicine, and Inventions” and made important early contributions to diversity efforts at KU through his service as chair of the Minority Graduate Student Recruitment Advisory Committee. He retired in 2004.

Research —

My research includes the biochemistry hormone action, the biochemistry of reproduction, and uterine biochemistry. Research projects have included the study of the properties of uterine adenylate cyclase in the rat.

Among the earliest biochemical events associated with the decidual cell reaction in the uterus of the mouse or rat is an increase in the concentration of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP). Thus several workers have suggested that cAMP is a major factor in initiating decidualization and implantation in rats and mice. Previous work in our laboratory has shown that adenylate cyclase (AC), the enzyme which catalyzes the formation of cAMP, was activated after a decidual stimulus was applied to the uterus only on Day 4, the day of maximal sensitivity to decidual induction. These studies supported the concept that the AC system might play a central role in transducing the stimulus for decidualization.

Selected Publications —

Representative Publications

  • Sanders, R. B., Bekairi, A. M., Abulaban, F. S. and Yochim, J. M. 1986. Uterine Adenylate Cyclase in the Rat: Responses to a Decidual-Inducing Stimulus. Biology of Reproduction 35:100–105.

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