Only a few labs around the world rely on micro-perfusion techniques. Postdoctoral Scholar Gaaminepreet Singh is among a select group of researchers using this method, working alongside Case Western Reserve University professors and researchers Walter Boron and Jeffery L. Garvin, both in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at the School of Medicine.
Singh learned the technique while studying renal ion transport in Boron’s lab, and continued to perfect the skill under Garvin’s guidance. This method is invaluable for studying ion transport mechanisms at the single-tubule level, offering significant insights for renal physiology and therapeutic development.
Singh’s project aimed to uncover the mechanisms that drive bicarbonate reabsorption in the proximal tubule, which is crucial for maintaining pH balance as these tubules reabsorb over 80% of bicarbonate in the body. Understanding this process is vital for developing therapies for conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which disrupt this homeostasis. His primary goal was to investigate how Angiotensin II, secreted from vesicles within tubule cells, regulates the Na+-H+ exchanger and, consequently, Na+-HCO3- transport.
Singh presented his work at the Annual Symposium of the Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology 2024, showcasing his work on “Determination of Bicarbonate Concentration in Nanoliter Samples from Tubule Perfusion.”
Prior to arriving at Case Western Reserve, Singh began his research career in a master’s program in pharmacology, during which time he led an independent project exploring potential therapies for drug-induced liver injury. He subsequently pursued a PhD in pharmacology, focusing on the impact of hypoxia-inducible stabilizers in models of diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease, employing biochemical, molecular and histopathological techniques.
From there, he went on to serve as an assistant professor in pharmacology in India, collaborating with students to study the effects of pharmacological agents targeting pathological pathways in chronic kidney disease induced by renal ischemia-reperfusion, renal fibrosis from unilateral ureteral obstruction, cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity, and sepsis-induced cardiac and renal dysfunction.
He developed expertise in microsurgical techniques to model these cardiac and renal diseases, designing hypotheses and strategies to answer critical questions in these areas.
Outside research, Singh actively contributes to the scientific field as a reviewer for various prominent journals, including Diabetic Medicine (Wiley), British Journal of Pharmacology and Molecular Biology Reports. He also recently served as a judge for Intersections, the undergraduate poster session at CWRU.
1. What has been your best experience so far as a CWRU postdoc?
Learning about the exciting scientific work going on in the other labs in the department. Attending departmental seminars, interacting with fellow postdocs and graduate students. Interacting with PIs from the same and different departments.
I also enjoyed my time learning and using various cutting-edge techniques available in the various departments under the School of Medicine. My best experience until now was to get advice from different PIs on my project that has given me a better insight into the science of my project. It was also nice to know about the CWRU culture and visit different places in and around the Cleveland area.
2. How do you think the postdoctoral experience at CWRU is helping you prepare and advance toward your goals?
Being a postdoctoral scholar at CWRU provided me with rich experience in terms of scientific growth, professional development and a chance to work with a team as well as independently.
3. What’s your best piece of advice on how postdocs can make the most of their postdoc career and prepare for their future goals?
Make the most of your time as a postdoctoral scholar. Try to interact with different PIs to know about the on-going science in other areas of research as well of your interest.
Attend CWRU scientific events, conferences, seminars. Please don’t forget to visit the best places in Cleveland and other nice destinations in Ohio or other states.
4. What are your career goals after your postdoc?
Train more people with the skills that I have acquired at CWRU as a postdoc and before joining CWRU. Apply for startup grants and make a significant lead into the on-going research project. Most importantly I’m looking forward to presenting my research findings in the international society conferences and publishing the work in journals and making the career transition toward independence in academia.