September 20, 2021
Dongoh Lee to present Anatomy and Physiology Seminar
Dongoh Lee, graduate research assistant in anatomy and physiology, will present, "VX770-potentiated CFTR anion conductance: chloride versus bicarbonate" at the next Anatomy and Physiology Seminar at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, in the Mara Conference Center, 407 Trotter Hall.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by abnormalities of the gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, or CFTR, an anion channel expressed in epithelia throughout the body. Chloride permeation through CFTR is well-documented while bicarbonate permeation remains to be fully characterized. Further, impacts of CFTR mutations and of new drugs on the absolute and relative permeabilities to bicarbonate have not been investigated. Our initial observations suggest that VX-770 (Ivacaftor), the first CFTR-targeted drug to gain FDA approval for cystic fibrosis treatment, may differentially impact chloride and bicarbonate permeation, which could impact therapeutic outcomes.
Lee received Master of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Chungbuk National University in Cheongju, South Korea. His mentor is Bruce Schultz.