Overview

Dr. Klein received her BS in biochemistry from the University of Scranton and MS and PhD in chemistry from New Mexico State University with a major in biochemistry and a minor in analytical chemistry. Her dissertation described a novel transglutaminase in Physarum polycephalum. Her first postdoctoral position was at the Terre Haute Center for Medical Education, and her second postdoctoral position was with the American Red Cross in Farmington Connecticut. During these postdoctoral fellowships, she studied the protein biochemistry of the coagulation cascade enzymes concentrating on Protein C and Protein S. Her third postdoctoral position brought her to Emory University, working with Dr. Lawrence Philips in the Department of Medicines Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids. Following this, she moved to the Division of Renal Medicine and was named an instructor in 1993, an assistant professor of medicine in 1997, and an associate professor of medicine in 2003. Her research interest has always been in protein biochemistry. For the past six years, she has investigated various transport mechanisms in the kidney, with an emphasis on the urea transporters.

1982 present Member, Sigma Xi
2000 2004 Member, International Society of Nephrology
2003 present Member, American Society of Nephrology
1993 2003 Member, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
2003 - present Member, American Physiological Society
2004 present Member, Editorial Board, American Journal of Physiology, Renal
2004 2005 Grant Review American Heart Association Peer Review: Molecular Signaling I
2002 present Ext.l Reviewer VA merit award grant applications
2002 present Ext.l Reviewer National Kidney Research Fund Grant Applications UK
2003 present Peer Review AJP, JASN, JBC, KI

The polyuria that occurs in diabetic patients is generally ascribed to an osmotic diuresis. We believe that the mechanisms are more complex. The production of concentrated urine requires complex interactions among the medullary nephron segments and vasculature. A major goal of my research is to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to changes in water and solute homeostasis that occur in uncontrolled diabetes.

Recent reports from the CDC indicate that diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. The polyuria that occurs in diabetic patients is generally ascribed to an osmotic diuresis. We believe that the mechanisms are more complex. Several metabolic and hormonal abnormalities present in diabetes mellitus and could contribute to abnormalities in solute and water handling. A major emphasis of my research is to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to changes in water and solute homeostasis that occur in uncontrolled diabetes. Our recent findings were the first to propose that compensatory changes in renal medullary transport proteins occurred during uncontrolled diabetes. We believe that our research will provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of uncontrolled diabetes. This understanding will be important for designing better therapeutic strategies as new agents, such as selective vasopressin agonists and antagonists, become available for clinical use.

Identifying these mechanisms could provide novel insights into the compensatory mechanisms that must occur in the kidney so that patients with uncontrolled type I diabetes rarely present in hypovolemic shock during conditions associated with volume depletion, such as diabetic ketoacidosis.

Academic Appointment

• Associate Professor, Medicine - Renal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine

Education

Research