Research

What We Do 

(Possible graduate student projects listed)

Research Focus 1 (non-coding RNAs and the kidney) 

- MicroRNAs in hormonal regulation of sodium transport in the kidney

- MicroRNAs and sex differences in kidney disease

We are studying the regulation of non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), by hormones. We are using various techniques to explore the impact of steroid hormones (estrogen and aldosterone) on miRNA regulation in the kidney, and to discover new protein targets that affect ion transport. Recent work is focused on the role of microRNAs in acute kidney injury (AKI) and kidney disease progression.

Graduate Student Projects 

1) miRNA knockout/gain-of-function mice and sodium regulation in the kidney.

2) Sex differences in miRNA regulation.

3) Sex differences in kidney injury, and links to miRNAs

4) Analysis of DeepSeq/RNASeq data to identify hormonally regulated miRNAs and lncRNAs in the kidney.

5) Physiological characterization of miR targets in aldosterone-mediated ENaC regulation.

6) Role of insulin in miRNA regulation in the distal nephron, links to diabetes.

7) Estrogen regulation of miRNAs.

Research Focus 2 

Regulation of Potassium Transport in Human Airway

In collaboration with the Devor lab, we assist in investigating the role of potassium channels in human disease, with a particular focus on cystic fibrosis. The modulation of potassium transporters by clinically relevant pharmaceuticals in the airway, vasculature, musculature, and neurons is being investigated in this collaboration.

Research Focus 3 

Regulation of the Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) in kidney epithelia

The regulation of ENaC by trafficking and recycling mechanisms is investigated. We use CRISPR edited epithelial cell lines to understand the role of trafficking and scaffold proteins in ENaC trafficking. In the distal kidney nephron upregulation of the channel is associated with volume expansion and hypertension. Sex differnces in blood pressure regulation may be due to cross-talk between the mineralocorticoid and estrogen receptor signaling cascades and are being investigated.

Graduate Student Projects

1) The interplay between estrogen and aldosterone signaling in kidney epithelia

2) Cytoskeletal and motor proteins and ENaC trafficking

3) Disease-linked mutations in ENaC that cause hypertension