Gary H. Laverty, Ph.D.

Teaching

• BISC 305* - Cell Physiology
• BISC 306* - General Physiology
• BISC 315 - Experimental Cell Biology

*Course web site available through MyCourses

Research Interests

Current research is directed toward studies of epithelial ion and organic substrate transport. Primary cell cultures and established cell lines of renal and intestinal epithelia are used to investigate hormonal and dietary control of transport processes. Cells are grown as monolayers on permeable membrane filters, achieving a high degree of epithelial polarity and differentiation. These monolayers can then be mounted in modified flux chambers (Ussing chambers) for study by electrophysiological methods, isotopic flux measurements or other analytical methods. Much of this work is comparative in nature, focusing on unique or unusual transport processes in birds or other non-mammalian groups. Two major projects are currently under investigation in primary cultures of the renal proximal tubule. One involves a chloride secretion pathway, mediated by a cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR)-like chloride channel that is stimulated by parathyroid hormone. The second project involves a study of a sodium-linked vitamin C (ascorbic acid) transporter in these cells. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, may be particularly important in birds because of levels of oxidative stress. Immunoblotting and PCR methods are also used to look at protein and mRNA expression levels of these epithelial transporters, thus complementing the electrophysiological functional assays.

Selected Publications

• Laverty G, Anttila A, Carty J, Reddy V, Yum J, Árnason SS. CFTR mediated chloride secretion in the avian renal proximal tubule. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2012; 161: 53-60.
• Laverty G, Skadhauge E. Adaptation of teleosts to very high salinity. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2012; 163: 1-6.
• Elbrønd VS, Laverty G, Dantzer V, Grøndahl C, Skadhauge E. Ultrastructure and electrolyte transport of the epithelium of coprodeum, colon and the proctodeal diverticulum of Rhea americana. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2009;152(3):357–365.
• Holtug K, Laverty G, Dantzer V, Grøndahl C, Skadhauge E. NH4+ secretion in the avian colon. An actively regulated barrier to ammonium permeation of the colon mucosa. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2009;153(3):258–265.
• Laverty G, Skadhauge E. Adaptive strategies for post-renal handling of urine in birds. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2008;149(3):246–254.
• Grigorieva A, Griffiths GS, Zhang H, et al. Expression of SPAM1 (PH-20) in the murine kidney is not accompanied by hyaluronidase activity: evidence for potential roles in fluid and water reabsorption. Kidney Blood Press Res. 2007;30(3):145–155.
• Johnston L, Laverty G. Vitamin C transport and SVCT1 transporter expression in chick renal proximal tubule cells in culture. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2007;146(3):327–334.
• Laverty G., Elbrønd V.S., Árnason S.S., Skadhauge E. Epithelial structure and function in the hen lower intestine. In: Perry GC, ed. Avian Gut Function in Health and Disease. Wallingford, UK: CAB Int.; 2006:65–84.
• Laverty G, Elbrond VS, Arnason SS, Skadhauge E. Endocrine regulation of ion transport in the avian lower intestine. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2006;147(1):70–77.
• Laverty G, McWilliams C, Sheldon A, Arnason SS. PTH stimulates a Cl(-)-dependent and EIPA-sensitive current in chick proximal tubule cells in culture. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2003;284(5):F987–95.
• Dudas PL, Villalobos AR, Gocek-Sutterlin G, Laverty G, Renfro JL. Regulation of transepithelial phosphate transport by PTH in chicken proximal tubule epithelium. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2002;282(1):R139–46.
• Laverty G, Bjarnadottir S, Elbrond VS, Arnason SS. Aldosterone suppresses expression of an avian colonic sodium-glucose cotransporter. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2001;281(4):R1041–50.
• Laverty G, Skadhauge E. Physiological roles and regulation of transport activities in the avian lower intestine. Journal Of Experimental Zoology. 1999;283(4-5):480–494.
• Sutterlin GG, Laverty G. Characterization of a primary cell culture model of the avian renal proximal tubule. Am J Physiol. 1998;275(1 Pt 2):R220–6.
• Laverty G. Transport characteristics of the colonic epithelium of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix). Comp Biochem Physiol A Physiol. 1997;118(2):261–263.
• Sehested J, Diernaes L, Laverty G, Moller PD, Skadhauge E. Methodological and functional aspects of the isolated bovine rumen epithelium in ussing chamber flux studies. Acta Agric. Scand. Sect. A-Anim. Sci.. 1996;46(2):76–86.
• Laverty G, Holtug K, Elbrond VS, Ridderstrale Y, Skadhauge E. Mucosal acidification and an acid microclimate in the hen colon in vitro. J Comp Physiol [B]. 1994;163(8):633–641.
• Laverty G, Alberici M. Carbonic-Anhydrase Activity In Kidney And Lower Intestine Of The European Starling. Journal Of Morphology. 1991;207(3):273–281.
• Laverty G, Alberici M. Micropuncture study of proximal tubule pH in avian kidney. Am J Physiol. 1987;253(4 Pt 2):R587–91.