One of the most satisfying aspects of scientific endeavor is to be involved in areas
of research in which new basic discoveries suggest potentially novel strategies for
therapeutic intervention, as well as for understanding underlying physiologic processes.
This has certainly been the case for the field of body fluid and electrolyte homeostasis
via vasopressin signaling and water channel function over the past few years. Although
the existence and role of water channels (aquaporins) in biological membranes had
been known for decades, based on pioneering studies by many superb physiologists and
biophysicists, the discovery of the molecular identity of the first water channel
by Peter Agre and his colleagues in 1991 has led to a veritable flood of research
in this area. Most importantly, it has attracted a great deal of bright, young talent
into the field, and has reawakened interest in understanding the mechanisms by which
physiologic processes are regulated in health and disease. Much of this exciting research
is now taking place under the umbrella of coordinated research activities known as
systems biology in major institutions throughout the world.
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© 2008 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
