The major focus of Dr. Bandyopadhyay's Calcium Signaling Laboratory at the Washington DC VA Medical Center is to understand the Ca2+ signaling defects and channelopathies in epithelial and neuronal cells to study their possible pathological mechanisms using genetic, pharmacological, and translational approaches. Long-term goals of this laboratory are: to understand the implications of these aberrant defects in Ca2+ signaling in calcium stone diseases, calcifications, acute or chronic kidney injury, pulmonary epithelial injury, salivary gland dysfunctions and brain injury. Our laboratory has been funded by NIH R01, R21, VA Merit, CTSA, and foundation grants. The major projects of this laboratory are: 1) to study the G-protein coupled receptor regulated Ca2+ absorption in the renal tubule, specifically, to determine whether such function has a role in regulating urine Ca2+ concentration that would serve to prevent calcium stone formation; 2) to understand the process of stone formation in bioengineered renal tubule in a 3D microfluidic device to reach a new level of understanding of such biologically controlled crystallization; 3) to study the Ca2+ signaling mechanism in salivary gland duct and tis role in salivary stone formation (sialolithiasis); 4) to understand the role of TRPC channel mediated Ca2+ signaling in lung epithelial cells and its role in the development of COPD and 5) hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction of Ca2+ signaling in chronic traumatic brain injury. Our Laboratory has expertise and experiences in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Ca2+ Imaging and Electrophysiology, and microfludic technology. We have a state-of-the-art facilities for Ca2+ imaging, patch clamp and confocal microscopy studies. We have ongoing collaborations with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, University of Maryland, GeowgeWashington University and Catholic University of America.
Recent Lab News and Achievements:
June 12, 2024, Congratulations to Samuel Shin for receiving Oral presentation Award at the 33rd Annual Fellows Research Forum – National Kidney Foundation!
June 12, 2024, Congratulations to Seth Baffoe for receiving the Oral presentation Award at the 33rd Annual Fellows Research Forum – National Kidney Foundation!
April 27, 2024, Congratulations to Dr. Gombedza, Samuel, Jaclyn,, and Dr. Bidhan for their acceptance of manuscript "The rise in tubular pH during hypercalciuria exacerbates calcium stone formation" in International Journal of Molecular Sciences, IF: 5.608
March 5, 2024, Congratulations to Eugenia, Sam, Dr. Choi and Dr. Bidhan for publication accepted in Laboratory Investigation. IF: 5.0; Title : Sex-specific stone-forming phenotype in mice during hypercalciuria/urine alkalinization.
February 24, 2024, our collaborative work with Dr. Sochol Lab (UMD, Mechanical Engineering) published in IEEE Xplore "3D-MICROPRINTED PDMS-BASED MICROFLUIDIC VESSELS FOR ORGAN-ON-A-CHIP APPLICATIONS," 2024 IEEE 37th International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Austin, TX, USA, 2024, pp. 221-224, doi: 10.1109/MEMS58180.2024.10439438.
January 24, 2024, Congratulations for the Journal Front Cover in "Crystals" : Titanium dioxide nanocrystals prevents citrate-induced dissociation of gout-like crystals.
January 05, 2024, Congratulations to Dr. Ukaeje, published article in Crystals, Volume 14, Issue 1 (January 2024), title: "Titanium Dioxide Promotes the Growth and Aggregation of Calcium Phosphate and Monosodium Urate Mixed Crystals".
November 03, 2023, Congratulations to Samuel presenting at ASN Annual meeting 2023, title "Inhibition of Calcium-Sensing Receptor in Mice Proximal Tubule Leads to Calcium Phosphate Crystalluria".
Septmber 20, 2023, Congratulationals to Dr. Bidhan for Receiving VA ORD grant "Alleviation of chronic TBI through modulation of calcium signaling".
June 13, 2023, Congratulations to Samuel (PhD student) for receiving best oral presentation Award at the 32nd Annual Fellows Research Forum - NKF at McLean, VA.
April 14, 2023., Congratulations to Samuel, Dr. Farai, Eugenia, Dr. Yiu, Dr. Roy and Dr. Bidhan for publication of manuscript "Reduction of TRPC1/TRPC3 mediated Ca2+-signaling protects oxidative stress-induced COPD" in Cellular Signalling, IF: 4.85
April 4, 2023, DCVA website health news featured Calcium Lab Research in VA Washington DC health care Stories Washington DC VA Medical Center Researchers Discover New Ways to Improve Kidney Health. https://www.va.gov/washington-dc-health-care/stories/washington-dc-va-medical-center-researchers-discover-new-ways-to-improve-kidney-health/
March 29, 2023, Congratulations to Dr. Choi, Sam, Sade and Dr. Bidhan, for the publication of manuscript "Ablation of TRPC3 disrupts Ca2+ signaling in salivary ductal cells and promotes sialolithiasis" got accepted in Nature Scientific Reports, IF: 4.996
February 22, 2023, Congratulations to Sam, Eugenia, Saloni, Madison, Dr. Peijun and Dr. Bidhan for the publication of manuscript "Anti-inflammatory role of extracellular l-arginine through calcium sensing receptor in human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells", International Immunopharmacology. IF: 5.8
February 10, 2023, Congratulations to Madison, Sam, Yuyan, Leron, and Dr. Bidhan for the publication of manuscript "Stabilization of uric acid mixed crystals by melamine", Journal of Crystal Growth, IF: 2.0
December 18, 2022, Congratulations to Sam, Eugenia and Dr. Bidhan for the publication of manuscript "Ablation of TRPC3 compromises bicarbonate and phosphate transporter activity in mice proximal tubular cells, Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol.. IF: 3.5
June 8, 2022: Congratulations to Madison for receiving the Best Poster Presentation Award at the 31st Annual Fellows Research Forum at MedStar Georgetown Hospital. for her current work on uric acid crystal interactions in kidney and urologic diseases.
January 7, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TB01213D article got in the front cover of Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 07 January 2022, Issue 1, Page 1-134. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2022/tb/d2tb90001g Also published in Royal Society of Chemistry News and Social Media. https://twitter.com/jmaterchem/status/1480307152225021953
January 1, 2022, Congratulations to Sam and Dr. Bidhan for the publication of manuscript "Enhanced carbonic anhydrase expression with calcification and fibrosis in bronchial cartilage during COPD, in Acta Histochemica. IF: 2.63
October 27, 2021, Congratulations to Eugenia, Sam, Dr. Farai and Dr. Bidhan for the publication of manuscript "Differential biomolecular recognition by synthetic vs. biologically derived components in stone-forming process using 3D microfluidics, in Journal of Material Chemistry B, IF: 7.571
June 12, 2021, Congratulations to Eugenia, Sam, and Dr. Bidhan for the publication of manuscript "Tannic acid attenuates vascular calcification-induced proximal tubular cells damage through paracrine signaling, in Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy . IF: 7.419
April 27, 2021, Congratulations to Sam, Cliff, Eugenia, Dr. Choi, Dr. Roy, and Dr. Bidhan for the acceptance of manuscript "Hypercalciuria switches Ca2+ signaling in proximal tubular cells, induces oxidative damage to promote calcium nephrolithiasis". in Genes & Diseases, IF: 7.243
April 15, 2021, Great job Samuel Shin for his presentation at the GW Research Showcase 2021!
April 1, 2021. DCVA website featured Calcium Lab Research in https://www.washingtondc.va.gov/WASHINGTONDC/features/Headline_Making_Research.asp
March 31, 2021, VA ORD research news cited our research publication. https://www.research.va.gov/in_brief.cfm Process behind kidney stone formation .
March 17, 2021, Congratulations to Eugenia, Sam, Sam Y, Dr. Choi, Dr. Peijun, and Dr. Bidhan for for the acceptance of manuscript "Modulation of Tubular pH by Acetazolamide in a Ca2+ Transport Deficient Mice Facilitates Calcium Nephrolithiasis " in International Journal of Molecular Sciences, IF: 5.608
February 18, 2021, Congratulations to Dr. Bidhan for publication in Biotechnique and Histochemistry.
February 6, 2021, Congratulations to Dr. Bidhan for publication in Current Oncology. IF: 3.677
Feb 19. 2020, Congratulations to Dr. Farai and Dr. Bidhan for publication in Biotechnology and Bioengineering. IF: 4.530
November 23, 2019, Congratulation to Sam and Dr. Farai for joint 1st author publication "l-ornithine activates Ca2+ signaling to exert its protective function on human proximal tubular cells" in Cellular Signalling, .IF: 4.85
October 15, 2019: Congratulation to Eugenia for her 1st author publication "Matting Calcium Crystals by Melamine Improves Stabilization and Prevents Dissolution". in ACS journal Crystal Growth & Design IF: 4.076
August 2, 2019: Congratulations to Dr. Bidhan for receiving the Outstanding Mentor Award from the DC VA Medical Center Summer Youth Volunteer Program.
July 8, 2019: Our paper "Abrogation of store-operated Ca2+ entry protects against crystal-induced ER stress in human proximal tubular cells" got accepted in Nature Cell Death Discovery. IF: 7.109 Congratulations to Farai and other co-authors: Sam, and Yianni!
June 5, 2019: Congratulations to Dr. Farai for receiving the Oral Presentation Award at the 28th Annual Fellows Research Forum at MedStar Georgetown Hospital. He received a prize for his current work on crystal internalization in areas relating to kidney and urologic diseases.
June 5, 2019: Congratulations to Sam for receiving the Oral Presentation Award at the 28th Annual Fellows Research Forum at MedStar Georgetown Hospital. He received a prize for his current work on protection of kidney injury.
June 5, 2019: Congratulations to Eugenia for receiving the Best Poster Presentation Award at the 28th Annual Fellows Research Forum at MedStar Georgetown Hospital. She received a prize for her current work on crystal interactions in areas relating to kidney and urologic diseases.
May 2, 2019: Research highlight by Journal of Cell Science published "Ca2+ goes through cells in the renal proximal tubule" featuring our publication!
April 26, 2019: Congratulations Eugenia! You are featured in Washington DC VA Medical Center Excellence in Action!
March 14, 2019: Eugenia and Dr. Bidhan received NIH Diversity grant Award on “Gender difference in calcium signaling in stone-formation in mice,” from NIDDK - Congratulations to Eugenia and Dr. Bidhan!
March 14, 2019: Our paper "Evidence for a regulated Ca2+ entry in proximal tubular cells and its implication in calcium stone formation" got accepted in Journal of Cell Science, IF:5.285 Congratulations to Cliff , Allen and Yianni!
November 30, 2018: Our paper "Melamine promotes calcium crystal formation in three-dimensional microfluidic device." got accepted in Nature Scientific Reports, IF:4.996 Congratulations to Farai and other co-authors: Sade, Sam, and Eugenia!
November 24, 2018: Our paper got accepted in World Journal of Nephrology, "Confounding risk factors and preventative measures driving nephrolithiasis global makeup." Congratulations to Sam and other co-authors: Aneil and Ashley (Nazira)!
November 19, 2018: Welcome Dr. Bok-Eum Choi for joining the Calcium Signaling Lab!
October 17, 2018: NIH, Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) funded grant to Dr. Bidhan as PI on “Gender difference in stone-forming phenotype in mice,” congratulations to Dr. Bidhan!
June 7, 2018: Well done to Farai, Eugenia, Sade, and Yianni on their poster presentations at the NKF meeting!
August 4, 2017: Congratulations to Dr. Bidhan for receiving the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Director of DC VA Medical Center.
June 28, 2017: Tristan Horrom at VA-ORD published a story in VA Research Currents about the research published in AJP-Cell paper “Study explores ways in which melamine, found in household items, can cause kidney damage.” Congratulations to Dr. Bidhan and lab!
June 7, 2017: Our paper got accepted in Archives of Oral Biology, “Microcalcifications in stone-obstructed human submandibular gland are associated with apoptosis and cell proliferation.” Congratulations Ivan and other co-authors: Ajay and Cliff! Irving Street Journal featured your publication on the front page!
April 5, 2017: Our paper got accepted in American Journal of Physiology – Cell, "Melamine induces Ca2+-sensing receptor activation and elicits apoptosis in proximal tubular cells." Congratulations Allen and other co-authors: Cliff and Sanjit! AJP tweeted and posted on Facebook the content of figure as best picture of the week!
December 20, 2016: A paper in collaboration with our lab got accepted in Nature Scientific Reports, “Intrinsic Photosensitivity Enhances Motility of T Lymphocytes." Congratulations Dr. Bidhan! Many national news sites (Science Daily, etc) and VA-ORD featured this publication!
June 8, 2016: Well done to Cliff and Ashley for their presentations at the NKF meeting!
May 23, 2016: Poster presentation at the Kidney Precision Medicine Meeting.
May 19, 2016: Great job Cliff, Ashley, Cory, and Jasmine at the VA National Research Week poster presentations!
March 8, 2016: Our paper got accepted in International Journal of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, “Association of serum electrolytes and smoking with salivary gland stone formation.” Congratulations Allen and Doyin!
May 30, 2016: Congratulations to Dr. Bidhan on receiving NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21) on “Mechanism of calcium phosphate stone formation in engineered 3D tubule.”
September 15, 2015: Congratulations to Dr. Bidhan on receiving Investigator initiated Research Grant (parent R01) from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH on “Calcium transport in kidney proximal tubule and calcium phosphate stone formation.”
May 21, 2015: Great job Allen and Ivan at the VA National Research Week poster presentations!
February 10, 2015, our manuscript "Vascular Calcification and Stone Disease: A New Look towards the Mechanism. accepted in Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease IF:3.948, Congratulations to Allen, Dan and Razia!!
June 11, 2014: Well done Allen and Ivan at the NKF Fellow Meeting on the presentations!
June 15, 2014: Congratulations to Dr. Bidhan on receiving NIH GHUCCTS-Pilot and Collaborative Studies Program grant on “Role of TRPC1 in pulmonary epithelial ROS generation and COPD.”
May 21, 2014: Great job Allen and Ivan at the VA National Research Week poster presentations!
June 12, 2013: Well done Mariyam at the NKF Fellow Meeting on the presentation!
October 21, 2012: Our paper “Engineering of polarized tubular structures in a microfluidic device to study calcium phosphate stone formation. got accepted in Lab on a Chip, IF: 6.799 ” Congratulations Prince and Mariyam!
July 9, 2012: Our paper “Extracellular Ca(2+) sensing in salivary ductal cells.” got accepted in Journal of Biological Chemistry, IF:5.157, Congratulations!
Our Funders:
Contact us:
Bidhan C. Bandyopadhyay, Chief, Calcium Signaling Laboratory and Director, Imaging Core Labs., DCVA Medical Center, Research Service (151), 50 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20422, Phones: Office (202) 745-8622 (direct); (202) 745-8000 ext. 56553, Lab (202) 745-8000 ext 5-6384 (main Lab); ext. 57552 (core Lab), FAX: (202) 462-2006, E-mails: bidhan.bandyopadhyay@va.gov; Calcium Lab <bcb.calcium@gmail.com>
Samuel Shin, Lab Coordinator, Calcium Signaling Lab, DC VA Medical Center, Research Services, 50 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20422, Phones: Lab (202) 745-8000 ext. 55835; E-mails: Samuel.Shin@va.gov ; Calcium Lab <bcb.calcium@gmail.com>
Web: https://sites.google.com/view/calciumsignalinglab/