Dr. Michael Caplan

Biography

Michael J. Caplan received his Bachelor's degree from Harvard University and his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Yale University in 1987. He joined Yale's Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology as a faculty member in 1988, currently serving as the C.N.H. Long Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Cell Biology. His research focuses on understanding how kidney cells organize and maintain their unique structures. He also studies mechanisms responsible for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), working to identify targets for new therapies. His lab is centered on membrane proteins and their trafficking, particularly examining the Na,K-ATPase, a sodium pump crucial for fluid and electrolyte transport in kidneys. Significant findings have highlighted how alterations in polycystin proteins contribute to the pathology of ADPKD, impacting renal function and cellular structures. His distinguished contributions to the field have been recognized through several fellowships and awards, including the Young Investigator Awards from prominent scientific societies.

Research Interests

Experience