My
Nga Helms, Ph.D.
Curriculum
Vitae
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My
general research interest is to better understand what controls
sodium channel activity in epithelial cells found in
both the kidney and in the lungs. I primarily use single-channel
patch clamp techniques and advanced molecular biological assays
to study the signal transduction cascades that regulate ENaC function.
KIDNEY
RESEARCH:
When sodium ions are re-absorbed by the kidneys, it generates
an osmotic gradient, which favors the transport of water back
into the circulatory system to increase blood volume. Therefore,
understanding how epithelial sodium channels are regulated in
the kidneys is centrally important in understanding hypertensive
disorders.
LUNG
RESEARCH:
Active Na+ reabsorption in lung alveolar epithelial
cells creates an environment which favors fluid clearance from
the air space. In general, regulation of epithelial sodium channels
in the lungs is important at the time of birth in order to remove
fluid and for proper exchange of oxygen, as well as under pathological
conditions in the mature lung, such as in pulmonary edema.
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