Thomas Brett, PhD
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
- Phone: 314-747-0018
- Email: tbrett@nospam.wustl.edu
Description of Research:
Chloride channels and their regulators play key roles in airways biology, both in homeostasis and disease states. The CLCA proteins are key regulators of calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) in mucosal tissues and play integral roles in chronic inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma and COPD. We are interested in understanding the structural, biochemical, and biophysical basis by which CLCA proteins mediate CaCC gating and what role this activity plays in mucus overproduction and airway constriction. This complete mechanistic understanding at the molecular level can be used to develop effective therapies to treat these diseases.