Teresa Buck

Teresa Buck serves as a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh's Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, where her laboratory investigates fundamental mechanisms of protein homeostasis with direct implications for kidney disease pathogenesis and treatment.

Her academic foundation includes:

• B.A. in Biology from Carroll College, Helena, MT
• Ph.D. in Integrated Biomedical Sciences from Oregon Health Sciences University (2006) under Dr. Bill Skach

Dr. Buck's research program centers on molecular chaperones governing endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD), particularly their regulation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in renal contexts. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast models and mammalian systems, her work elucidates how chaperones like GRP170/Lhs1, ERdj3/4, and Hsp104 recognize misfolded membrane proteins, with recent emphasis on therapeutic interventions for ER stress-induced acute kidney injury. Her studies frequently examine transmembrane domain recognition, substrate-specific degradation mechanisms, and compensatory pathways in chaperone-deficient states.

Analysis of her 2018-2025 publications reveals escalating focus on GRP170's cytoprotective role in nephrons, demonstrating how dietary sodium modulates electrolyte imbalances in chaperone-deficient mice. This translational trajectory connects basic ERAD mechanisms to potential clinical interventions for kidney disorders, with consistent exploration of chaperone networks across model systems.