Dr. Welbourne's research interests focus on mechanisms involving interorgan and cellular signaling pathways effecting physiological responses to acid challenges. Longitudinal studies in humans have shown a spontaneous metabolic acidosis appears in the adult population over aged 50 contributing to a general catabolic state including mucle and bone wasting. Despite the intrinsic interest in this widespread homeostatic dysfunction little is known concerning the signal pathways involved and their regulation. Studies in Dr. Welbourne's lab have shown in humans that activating the growth hormone and renal acid extrusion axis through glutamine supplied glutamate stimulation of pituitary GH release and renal sodium hydrogen ion exchange acid extrusion, and , glutamine supplied ammonium stimulation of renal H+/K+ ATPase restores acid extrusion while generating new base for restoration of alkaline reserves. Impairing acid extrusion through the classical MAPK pathway along with acceleration of metabolic acid production via AMPK activation of glycolysis is currently studied as a paradigm for arresting tumor cell growth and activating appotosis in cancers.

Laboratory Techniques
Molecular techniques - transfections, transient and stable cloning, CAT assays
Northern blotting, cDNAa
Northern blotting, cDNAa
HPLC- Radiomatic (isotope detection)
Perfused kidney - rat; in situ renal extraction, amino acid tracers
Whole animal 19C-15N tracer techniques
Cell culture plates, porous supports - transport and metabolic studies