The Epithelial Systems Biology Laboratory (ESBL) is led by Mark Knepper, an MD/PhD bioengineer with expertise in mathematical modeling, proteomics, and the molecular physiology of vasopressin-responsive renal collecting duct cells.
Permanent staff include: 1) Jason D. Hoffert, PhD, an expert in the biochemistry of epithelial cells and in protein mass spectrometry; 2) Trairak Pisitkun, MD, a trained nephrologist with expertise in protein mass spectrometry and computational methods for large-scale data interpretation; and 3) Chung-Lin ‘Joe’ Chou, PhD, who is an expert on physiological and biochemical methods for study of the renal collecting duct epithelium. All three have shown great success in guiding students and post-docs through their projects, resulting in a high level of productivity throughout the laboratory.
The ESBL has two senior Research Fellows: 1) R. Lance Miller, PhD, who has broad recognition throughout the world because of his work to develop transgenic and knockout mice for renal research; and 2) Ming-Jiun ‘Brad’ Yu, PhD, who is an accomplished innovator in the areas of epithelial physiology and systems biology.
The ESBL has one Post-Doctoral Fellow, viz. Patricia Gonzales-Hurtado, PhD, who trained as a chemical engineer and has experience in mathematical modeling, protein mass spectrometry, and methods for urinary protein biomarker discovery.
The ESBL currently has two Post-Baccalaureate Students, Ruwan Gunaratne and Dane Slentz, both of whom plan careers in academic medicine.
The ESBL periodically accepts scientists from various institutions throughout the world into the laboratory to work as Special Volunteers. In general, these scientists bring their own support and work on projects of mutual interest. Special volunteers during 2009 included: 1) Markus Rinschen, a medical student from Muenster, Germany; 2) Amar Bansal, a medical student from NYU; and 3) Patricia Fernandez-Llama, MD, PhD, a nephrologist and renal researcher from Barcelona.
Selected Publications by Staff Members:
1. Hoffert JD, Pisitkun T, Wang G, Shen RF, Knepper MA. Quantitative phosphoproteomics of vasopressin-sensitive renal cells: regulation of aquaporin-2 phosphorylation at two sites. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006; 103:7159-7164.
2. Pisitkun T, Hoffert JD, Yu MJ, Knepper MA. Tandem mass spectrometry in physiology. Physiology (Bethesda). 2007; 22:390-400.
3. Fenton RA, Moeller HB, Hoffert JD, Yu MJ, Nielsen S, Knepper MA. Acute regulation of aquaporin-2 phosphorylation at Ser-264 by vasopressin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008; 105: 3134-3139.
4. Hoffert JD, Fenton RA, Moeller HB, Simons B, Tchapyjnikov D, McDill BW, Yu MJ, Pisitkun T, Chen F, Knepper MA. Vasopressin-stimulated increase in phosphorylation at Ser269 potentiates plasma membrane retention of aquaporin-2. J Biol Chem. 2008; 283: 24617-24627.
5. Chou CL, Yu MJ, Kassai EM, Morris RG, Hoffert JD, Wall SM, Knepper MA. Roles of basolateral solute uptake via NKCC1 and of myosin II in vasopressin-induced cell swelling in inner medullary collecting duct. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2008; 295:F192-201.
6. Yu MJ, Miller RL, Uawithya P, Rinschen MM, Khositseth S, Braucht DW, Chou CL, Pisitkun T, Nelson RD, Knepper MA. Systems-level analysis of cell-specific AQP2 gene expression in renal collecting duct. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009;106: 2441-2446.