Lane L. Clarke, PhD

Research interests

• Cystic fibrosis
• Stem cell biology
• Goblet cell differentiation/function
• Epithelial transport of ions and nutrients

Research summary

Lane L. Clarke’s research program is focused on translational gastrointestinal pathobiology in the context of transport and immunological dysfunctions resulting from the loss of the anion channel CFTR in cystic fibrosis disease. Mouse models, human cell lines, and mouse and human intestinal primary organoids are used for microfluorometry, electrophysiology and expression studies. Recent therapies for cystic fibrosis have minimal effects in correcting life-long intestinal manifestations of the disease. Dr. Clarke’s primary goal is to identify pathological mechanisms that can be therapeutically targeted to treat intestinal cystic fibrosis.

Lab staff

• Ellise Wright, Lab Assistant, Undergraduate
• Lilli Caldwell, Lab Assistant, Undergraduate
• Ashley Stocksick, Lab Assistant, Undergraduate
• Zane Renfro, Lab Assistant, Undergraduate

Select publications

• Woode, R, Strubberg, A, Liu, J, Walker, N, Clarke LL. Increased activity of epithelial Cdc42 Rho GTPase and tight junction permeability in the Cftr knockout intestine. Am J Physiol – Gastrointest Liver Physiol 327: G545-G557, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39104325. Awarded APS Select distinction.
• Young, SM, Woode, RA, Ericsson, A, Williams, E, Clarke, LL. Fecal Dysbiosis and Inflammation in Intestinal-Specific Cftr Knockout Mice on Regimens to Prevent Intestinal Obstruction.. Physiol Genomics 56: 247-264, 2023. 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00077. 2023 APS Select distinction and Physiological Genomics Excellence in Research Award.
• Gawenis, LR, Hodges, CA, McHugh, DR, Valerio, DM, Miron, A, Cotton, CU, Liu, J, Walker, NM, Strubberg, AM, Gillen, AE, Mutolo, MJ, Kotzamanis, G, Bosch, J, Harris, A, Drumm, ML, Clarke, LL. A BAC transgene expressing human CFTR under control of its regulatory elements rescues Cftr knockout mice. Sci Rep 9: 11828, 2019. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48105-4, 2019.
• Strubberg, AM, Liu, J, Walker, NM, Stefanski, CD, MacLeod, RJ, Clarke, LL. CFTR modulates Wnt/beta-catenin signaling and stem cell proliferation in the mouse intestine. Cell Mol Gastro Hepat 5: 253-271. 2018. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2017.11.013
• Liu, J, Walker, NM, Ootani, A, Strubberg, AM, Clarke, LL. Defective goblet cell exocytosis contributes to murine cystic fibrosis-associated intestinal disease. J. Clin. Invest. 125: 1056-1068, 2015. DOI: 10.1172/jci73193