Tarek M. El-Achkar
M.D., American University of Beirut
Department: Medicine-Nephrology
Academic Rank: Assistant Professor
Phone: 314-577-8765 Fax: 314-289-7012
E-mail: telachka@slu.edu
Lab Web Page Links:
http://internalmed.slu.edu/nephrology/index.php?page=tarek-el-achkar-m-d
Primary Area of Cardiovascular Research Interest
-Role of Tamm-Horsfall Protein and Toll-like receptors in modulating Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and inflammation
Related Areas of Cardiovascular Research Interest
-Preventative therapies for acute kidney injury
-Protective effects of minocycline in patients undergoing cardiac surgery
Summary of Cardiovascular Research Interest
Our lab has been focusing on the role of Tamm-Horsfall protein (Uromodulin) and Toll-like receptors in acute kidney injury. We recently uncovered a novel protective role for Uromodulin in kidney injury by down-regulating the inflammatory response. Our current investigations are aimed at defining the molecular mechanism involved in this regulation, with a long term goal of using such insights to design novel therapeutic tools. We use several animal models for kidney injury, and various transgenic animals. We also use several molecular and cell biology techniques, with special expertise in various forms microscopy.