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Nephrology society cites Caplan for his research

Dr. Michael J. Caplan, professor of cellular and molecular physiology at the School of Medicine, has received the 1998 Young Investigator Award of the American Society of Nephrology.

The award, which recognizes excellence and creativity in nephrologic research, has been given to Caplan in honor of his internationally recognized work on epithelial cell biology.

Caplan's research has centered on the problem of sorting membrane proteins to their appropriate destinations in polarized epithelial cells. Using the Na, K-ATPase and H,K-ATPase transport proteins, which are closely related in structure and function but are targeted differently. Caplan has identified segments of these molecules that contribute to their sorting behaviors as well as to their physiologic properties.

In his studies of neurotransmitter re-uptake systems, Caplan has demonstrated that the four members of the highly homologous GABA transporter gene family are differently sorted in epithelial cells and in neurons. His research group is also applying genetic tools to the search for cellular sorting machinery.

Caplan previously received the 1998 Bowditch Young Investigator Award from the American Physiological Society and National Science Foundation Young Investigator awards 1992-97.