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Gastroenterology/Hepatology

Research

Dr. Pramod Mistry studies inherited metabolic liver diseases in children and adults focusing on Gaucher's disease, Wilson's disease and glycogen storage disease type 1a as prototype disorders. His studies are aimed at delineation of novel phenotypes, gene analysis and modifier genes. He is studying the natural course of Gaucher disease, effects of enzyme replacement therapy and utility of serum biomarkers to assess disease burden. These patient-oriented studies are being extended to an animal model of type 1 Gaucher disease. He is the director of National Gaucher Disease Treatment Center. His studies are funded by NIH/NIDDK mid-career investigator K24 award in patient-oriented research in inherited metabolic liver diseases and by industry.

Dr. Dinesh Pashankar focuses on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and constipation in children. He studies the prevalence and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in children. His research also includes obesity associated gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation and gastroesophageal reflux in children.

Dr. Sohail Husain. Our lab is interested in the cellular mechanisms responsible for the development and severity of the disease acute pancreatitis. In particular, we are examining the role of aberrant intracellular calcium flux as a critical modulator of the early phase of pancreatitis in which digestive proenzymes, or zymogens, are pathologically activated within the pancreas. We have shown that calcium released from the intracellular calcium channel the ryanodine receptor within the pancreatic acinar cell is necessary for zymogen activation. We have also shown that the calcium-calmodulin dependent phosphatase calcineurin is a target of the aberrant calcium signal. We are currently examining the regulation of these molecules using isolated pancreatic acinar cells and in vivo using animal models of pancreatitis.