Group F. Verrey

1991-2019

The overall theme of our research was solute transport across membranes, in particular across epithelial barriers, and its role in maintaining the constancy of the 'milieu intérieur', i.e. body homeostasis.

Our general aim was to understand mechanisms and roles of transmembrane and transepithelial amino acid transport at a cellular and systemic level, in particular as regards kidney, intestine and pancreas. The main focus of our research was originally aldosterone-regulated Na⁺ transport and then the transport of amino acids. Associated groups investigated the function of epithelial K⁺ channels (R. Warth 2001-2003), the structure and function of bacterial drug transporters (K.M. Pos 2004-2008), the structure-function relationship of phosphate transporters (I. Forster 2010-2015) and the role of amino acid transport in exocrine pancreas (S.M. Camargo 2008-2019).

A most exciting dimension of our research activity on these transport functions across 'boundaries' was the fact that we addressed and tried to integrate questions at all levels, from gene regulation and protein structure via cellular mechanisms to tissue and systemic organisation and function.

Our focus on specific functions, combined with a breadth of approaches at different levels of complexity, was the hallmark of the experimental integrative physiology we performed.
Overview Gr. Verrey (JPG, 212 KB)