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Molecular Genetics and Genomics Program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine

 

 

 

Ross P. Holmes
Professor
Surgical Sciences-Urology  

B.A., 1972; University of Queensland, Australia 
Ph.D., 1978; Australian National University, Australia 

 

Very little is known about the synthesis, transport and cellular function of oxalic acid, a simple two carbon dicarboxylic acid, despite its clinical significance in kidney stone disease and some rare genetic disorders. We are currently using an array of analytical and molecular techniques to study these processes in cultured cells and genetically modified mice. Molecular approaches are helping us modify metabolism by augmenting and diminishing enzyme activities and following changes in metabolite production by mass spectrometry. This research has recently succeeded in identifying novel pathways for oxalate synthesis.”


Recent Publications (selected):

Knight J, Easter LH, Neiberg R, Assimos DG, Holmes RP. Increased protein intake on controlled oxalate diets does not increase urinary oxalate excretion. Urol Res 2009; 37: 63-68.

Murray MS, Holmes RP, Lowther WL. Active site and loop 4 movements within human glycolate oxidase: Implications for substrate specificity and drug design. Biochemistry 2008; 47: 2439-2449.

Prokopovich S, Knight J, Assimos DG, Holmes RP. Variability of Oxalobacter formigenes and oxalate in stool samples. J Urol 2007; 178: 2186-2190.