Henry J. Binder, MD

Dr. Binder's research career has primarily been directed toward the regulation of colonic electrolyte transport and the pathophysiology of diarrhea and the basis for development of new approaches for treatment of diarrhea. These transport studies were primarily in vitro and dissected the cellular mechanisms of Na, C1, K, HCO3 and short-chain fatty acid transport and were supported by NIDDK for 37 years. During the past few years, Dr. Binder has focused his investigative activities toward the establishment of a major modification of oral rehydration solution (ORS) that is based on his prior laboratory studies that demonstrated butyrate-stimulated Na absorption in the colon was cyclic AMP-insensitive. These studies supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are designed to increase the uptake of ORS with the adaption of an improved formulation with resistant starch (starch that is relatively insensitive to amylase digestion).