Mark D. Parker PhD

Mark Parker

Mark D. Parker
PhD

Associate Professor

Department of Physiology and Biophysics

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Inherited Metabolic Disorders; Membrane Transport (Ion Transport); Molecular and Cellular Biology; Molecular Basis of Disease; Molecular genetics; Protein Function and Structure; Transgenic organisms; Vision science

Contact Information
4158 JSMBS
955 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-829-3966
Fax: NA
parker28@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

Most physiological processes and numerous disease states are influenced by or influence pH. Even relatively small deviations in whole body pH can have devastating consequences for our health. Our bodies are subject to a constant challenge from dietary and metabolic acids, thus it is critical for the body to have mechanisms that tightly regulate pH.

Blood plasma pH is maintained at a value close to 7.4, in part thanks to the buffering action of 24 mM bicarbonate (HCO3-). HCO3- neutralizes acid, generating carbon dioxide and water (HCO3- + H+ to CO2 + H2O), preventing lethal acidosis.

I study the SLC4 family of membrane proteins that move acid/base equivalents across cell membranes. Notable members include [1] the Na/2HCO3 cotransporter NBCe1-A that reclaims HCO3- from filtered blood plasma in kidney tubules (preventing loss of vital plasma HCO3- to the urine), [2] NBCe1-B that promotes fluid removal from the corneal stroma (preventing corneal edema and vision loss), [3] the Cl-HCO3 exchanger AE1 that promotes O2-CO2 exchange in red blood cells, and [4] SLC4A11 that conducts H+ and promotes corneal clarity.

Dysfunction of SLC4 family members is associated with renal tubular acidosis, blindness, cancer, deafness, epilepsy, and hypertension.

Course Co-Director for PGY405/505 (Cellular and Molecular Physiology)
Course Co-Director for IMC512 (Renal Module)

Education and Training:

  • PhD, Biochemistry, University of Bristol (2000)
  • BS, Biochemistry, University of Bristol (1995)

Employment:

  • Associate Professor, Physiology and Biophysics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2019-present)
  • Assistant Professor, Physiology and Biophysics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2013–2019)
  • Instructor, Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University (2008–2013)
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University Yale School of Medicine (2003–2007)

Awards and Honors:

  • Paper of The Year (2021)
  • APS Select Manuscript (2020)
  • New Investigator Award from the Cell and Molecular Physiology Section of the American Physiological Society (2017)
  • American Physiological Society Star Reviewer (2017)
  • Carl W. Gottschalk Research Fellow of the ASN Foundation for Kidney Research (2015)
  • The APS Recognition Award for Meritorious Research by a Young Investigator (2012)

Research Expertise:

  • Acid-base homeostasis
  • Epithelial Physiology
  • Ion transport
  • Molecular Biology
  • Renal Physiology

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • January 2018–September 2028
    Investigating the Action and Physiological Role of Slc4a11 in the Cornea
    NIH National Eye Institute
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • July 2020–July 2025
    Investigating the role of NBCe1-B in renal and cardiac acid-base handling
    NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
    Role: Consultant
  • September 2019–August 2024
    Renal considerations in the heat stress and hydration recommendations
    NIH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • July 2015–June 2017
    Cause and correction of acidosis by the renal sodium/bicarbonate cotransport NBCe1
    ASN Foundation for Kidney Research
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $200,000
  • December 2011–November 2013
    Functional role of transporter Slc4a11 (BTR1/NaBC1) in the cornea
    NIH National Eye Institute
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $237,568

Journal Articles:

See all (47 more)

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Brady CT, Dugandzic A, Parker MD, and Romero MF. (2020) NBCe1: An Electrogenic Na+ Bicarbonate Cotransporter, in Epithelia. In: Studies of Epithelial Transporters and Ion Channels Ion Channels and Transporters of Epithelia in Health and Disease - Vol. 3. Springer, 93-213.
  • Boron, WF, Parker MD. (2012) McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science and Technology 2013. In: Bicarbonate physiology and pathophysiology. McGraw-Hill
  • Parker MD, Boron, WF. (2007) Seldin and Giebisch‘s The Kidney: Physiology and Pathophysiology. In: Sodium-coupled bicarbonate transporters. Elsevier

Abstracts:


Professional Memberships:

  • The Biophysical Society (2022–present)
  • The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology; Member (2016–present)
  • Council on Undergraduate Research; Member (2016–present)
  • American Society of Nephrology; Member (2013–present)
  • American Physiological Society; Member (2011–present)

Presentations:

  • "SLC4A11: A proton channel, vital for vision, hiding in a family of bicarbonate transporters" Department of Physiology Seminar, University of Sao Paulo (2021)
  • "The Role of SLC4A11 in corneal physiology and dystrophy" Department of Ophthalmology Visual Sciences Research Center Seminar (2021)
  • "Cloudy with a chance of funding: some new projects on cataracts and corneal edema in mice" Department of Ophthalmology Joint Vision Lab Group Meeting, VA Hospital (2021)
  • "Taking a good look at the corneal H+ transporter SLC4A11" Department of Physiology and Biophysics Seminar, University at Buffalo (2020)
  • "Dispatches from the anterior segment" Department of Ophthalmology Joint Vision Lab Group Meeting, VA Hospital (2019)
  • "A novel mouse model demonstrates the vital importance of bicarbonate transport" UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar (2018)
  • "All About That Base: The Vital Importance of Bicarbonate Transport" Buffalo State University Seminar (2018)
  • "All About That Base: A novel mouse model demonstrates the Vital Importance of Bicarbonate Transport" Department of Physiology and Biophysics Seminar, University at Buffalo (2018)
  • "Features of the pH-sensitive H+/OH- conduction mediated by SLC4A11" Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences 61st Annual Conference; Satellite Meeting on pH regulation (2018)
  • "Signs of proximal renal tubular acidosis without acidemia in an Nbce1b-null mouse" Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences 61st Annual Conference (2018)
  • "Blood Acid and Blindness" Department of Ophthalmology Joint Vision Lab Group Meeting, VA Hospital (2017)
  • "Slc4a11: a H+ channel in HCO3- transporter’s clothing" Department of Physiology and Biophysics Research Seminar (2017)
  • "Blood Acid and Blindness" MSTP Seminar, University at Buffalo (2017)
  • "Bicarbonate transporters and eye pathophysiology" International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) 38th World Congress (2017)
  • "A Shortage of Baking Soda: Defective bicarbonate transport in individuals with acidic blood" School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Seminar, UB (2017)
  • "The role of a novel proton channel in corneal health and disease" Department of Ophthalmology Joint Vision Lab Group Meeting, VA Hospital (2016)
  • "A Shortage of Baking Soda: Defective bicarbonate transport in individuals with acidic blood and abnormal teeth" Oral Biology Seminar, University at Buffalo (2016)
  • "What is a boron transporter doing in the corneal endothelium?" Department of Ophthalmology Joint Vision Lab Group Meeting, VA Hospital (2015)
  • "A Shortage of Baking Soda: Defective bicarbonate transport in individuals with acidic blood" Membrane Transport Group Seminar. University of Alberta (2014)
  • "The basis of eye diseases associated with defective bicarbonate transporters" SUNY Eye Institute Symposium (2014)
  • "The molecular basis of eye diseases associated with defective bicarbonate transporters" Department of Ophthalmology Joint Vision Lab Group Meeting, Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital (2014)
  • "Bicarbonate transport in health and disease" Medical School Training Program (MSTP) Seminar (2014)
  • "The importance of sodium-coupled bicarbonate transporters" Molecular and Developmental Genetics Seminar, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2014)
See all (13 more)

Service Activities:

  • Ad hoc committee for the study of a Faculty Satisfaction Survey (2021–present)
  • Director of Assessment Search Committee (2021–present)
  • Frontiers in Physiology – Membrane Physiology and Membrane Biophysics; Review Editor (2021–present)
  • JSMBS Faculty Council Steering Committee; Member at large (2021–present)
  • "Metabolic Acidosis: New Challenges and New Solutions" for the 56th Annual Congress of the Brazilian Physiological Society; Plenary Session Organizer and Co-chair (2021)
  • "The Clinical and Physiological Importance of Acid-Base Balance" for the 56th Annual Congress of the Brazilian Physiological Society; Symposium Session Organizer and Co-chair (2021)
  • Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) National Fellowship Program Committee; Reviewer (2020)
  • ; Departmental Seminar Series Coordinator (2020–2021)
  • IFR Policy Review Committee (2020)
  • ad hoc Committee to Promote Wellness at the Jacobs School; Ad hoc Committee Member (2020)
  • ; Senator (2019–2020)
  • Kidney 360 (online journal for the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology; Editorial Board Member (2019–present)
  • Curriculum Advisory Task Force member (Phase1 subcommittee) (2019–2020)
  • Select Committee for Facilities Planning and Space Allocation; JSMBS Select Committee Member (2019–2020)
  • Physiology Chair Search (2019)
  • Medical School Curriculum Redesign: Phase 1 and Phase 3 subcommittees (2019–present)
  • Hong Memorial Lecture Committee; Committee Chair (2019–present)
  • JSMBS Appeals Committee; Committee Member and occasional ad hoc Chair (2019–present)
  • Graduate Program Admissions Committee; Member (2019–present)
  • 2019 Experimental Biology meeting in Orlando, FL (sponsored by the American Physiological Society). “pH Homeostasis and Acid-Base Transport”; Symposium Session Organizer and Co-chair (2019)
  • Fight for Sight Foundation Postdoctoral Grant Application; Reviewer (2018)
  • American Society of Nephology’s TREKS (Kidney Tutored Research and Education for Kidney Scholars) program; Mentor (2018–present)
  • Hosted local high school student for a summer research project; Mentor (2017)
  • American Journal of Physiology: Cell Physiology Editorial Advisory Board Member; Advisory Board (2016–present)
  • JSMBS Faculty Council Steering Committee; Secretary (2016–2018)
  • Search for new faculty member (2016–2017)
  • Hosted local Notre Dame undergraduate student for a summer research project; Mentor (2016)
  • UB Medical School Research Forum; Poster Judge (2016–present)
  • PPBS Admissions Committee; Reviewer/ Alternate Reviewer (2014–2019)
  • The American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology, The British Journal of Ophthalmology, Human Molecular Genetics, Human Mutation, Biochim Biophys Acta, The Journal of Physiology, Science Signaling, Scientific Reports, Frontiers in Membrane Physiology and Biophysics; ad hoc reviewer (2013–present)

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Contact Information

4158 JSMBS
955 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-829-3966
Fax: NA
parker28@buffalo.edu