How Your Kidneys Control Ammonia Levels
Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Ammonia Metabolism
This research looks at how your kidneys manage ammonia to keep your body's acid and base levels balanced, which is vital for your health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145226 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Your kidneys play a crucial role in keeping your body's acid and base levels just right for good health. This project explores how specialized kidney cells, called intercalated cells, adapt to control the release of acids and bicarbonates, as well as how they transport ammonia. We are exploring a new idea that ammonia, produced in another part of the kidney, directly influences these cells, rather than just the overall pH of your body. Understanding these processes better could lead to new insights into conditions where acid-base balance is disrupted, such as metabolic acidosis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage.
Not a fit: Patients not experiencing conditions related to kidney acid-base balance or ammonia metabolism would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of kidney function and new ways to manage conditions involving acid-base imbalances, like metabolic acidosis.
How similar studies have performed: This research proposes a new way of understanding how kidneys regulate acid-base balance, building on existing knowledge but suggesting a novel mechanism.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiner, I. David — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Weiner, I. David
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.