Research workflow of Cil Lab and examples of each strategy

  1 Oak et al. Mol Pharmacol 2022, Cil O et al. Kidney Int 2021

2 Cil O et al. JCI Insight 2022, Cil O et al. J Am Soc Nephrol 2016

3 Oak AA et al. JCI Insight 2021, Cil O et al. Pediatrics 2020

Current Projects:

• SLC26A Anion Exchanger Modulators: SLC26A family anion exchangers are expressed in different organs and facilitate exchange of anions (Cl^-, HCO₃^-, oxalate etc.) which play key roles in pathophysiology of multiple diseases. Our Lab has developed first-in-class, selective small molecule modulators to investigate roles of SLC26A exchangers in health and disease. Potential indications for SLC26A modulators include kidney stones, edema, hypertension, gastrointestinal diseases, and pulmonary diseases.

• Cl^- channel modulators: Cl^- channels have key roles in physiological processes and alterations in Cl^- channel expression/activity results in diseases affecting many organ systems. Our group use Cl^- channel modulators to investigate roles of Cl^- channels in health and disease. In addition, we also investigate the roles of signaling pathways that regulate Cl^- channel activity. The goal of these studies is to develop novel and effective treatments for several diseases including polycystic kidney disease, hypertension, diarrhea, constipation, gut motility disorders, cystic fibrosis and dry eye disease.

• Calcium sensing receptor (CaSR): CaSR is a G-protein coupled receptor expressed in many organs. We study the physiological roles of CaSR in different tissues and aim to develop CaSR modulators for treatment of various diseases such as secretory diarrhea and polycystic kidney disease.