Tarek M. Ashkar (El-Achkar), MD

Terence P. Kahn Professor of Nephrology

Professor of Medicine

Adjunct Professor of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology

Phone: (317) 278-6822
Address: Research II, Suite 202
950 W Walnut St
R2 202
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5188
PubMed:

Bio

I am a practicing physician scientist, very connected to my patients, peers, and the larger renal community. My research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanism of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease by studying the biology of the protein uromodulin and its immunomodulatory role. As an investigator of the Kidney Precision Medicine Project (KPMP) and the Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP), we also aim to unravel the cellular and molecular pathophysiology of kidney disease and nephrolithiasis through integrating multimodal Omics and imaging approaches. We Our work is supported by the NIH and the VA. In addition to translating findings to treat patients and find new cures, I actively mentor all levels of trainees to usher them towards independence.

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Year	Degree	Institution
2006	Fellowship	Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
2003	Residency	Wayne State University, Detroit
1999	MD	American University of Beirut
1995	BS	American University of Beirut

My lab has been a leader in studying the biology and function of Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP)/Uromodulin for the last 20 years. We pioneered the efforts to define the significance of tubular cross-talk in kidney injury and the importance of Uromodulin in the interstitium and circulation, as a key regulator of renal and systemic inflammatory signaling. Our work has been the basis to many clinical studies demonstrating that low serum Uromodulin is associated with increased risk for kidney disease and cardiovascular mortality. We discovered that a non-polymerizing isoform of Uromodulin is secreted in the urine and is the main form of Uromodulin in the circulation. We recently uncovered an intracellular alternatively spliced form that is targeted to the mitochondria where it enhances mitochnodrial energetics in acute kidney injury.

We have extensive proficiency in histopathology and immunology of the kidney because of our ongoing work. My laboratory developed and optimized many cutting-edge techniques that allow molecular and cellular interrogation of the kidney microenvironment such as 3-dimensional tissue imaging, immunofluorescence- based laser microdissection and downstream “omics”. Furthermore, we developed a software for performing tissue cytometry through exploring and analyzing 3D imaging volumes and CODEX multiplex large scale images (Volumetric Tissue Exploration and Analysis, VTEA). I have successfully recruited highly talented scientists, and developed a lab infrastructure and environment that fosters high collaboration and training for graduate students and post-doctoral candidates. In addition to our work on uromodulin biology, I am a PI in the NIH/NIDDK funded Kidney Precision Medicine Project. I am also an investigator in the Human Biomolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP), and the director of the 3D imaging Core in the Indiana University O’Brien Center, which assists investigators perform CODEX and 3D imaging and cytometry on the kidney and other tissues.

Research Labs

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Tarek M. Ashkar (El-Achkar), MD

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