About Us

The surface membranes of epithelial cells are divided into domains characterized by dramatically different protein compositions. Membrane proteins whose distributions are restricted to one of these domains must incorporate information that specifies their appropriate destinations. We seek to determine how this information is encoded and how it is interpreted.

Our studies of cellular trafficking focus on proteins involved in ion transport, as well as on the proteins associated with polycystic kidney disease. Polycystic kidney disease is a prevalent and serious genetic disorder that distorts the normal architecture of renal epithelial cells and that is a major cause of kidney failure. The Caplan laboratory is working to understand the mechanisms responsible for this condition and to identify targets for new therapies.

Ion pumps in polarized epithelia; Sorting and function; Polycystic kidney disease