Peter S N Rowe., B.Sc (Hons), Ph.D.
Associate Professor.

• The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Department of Periodontics
• rowep@uthscsa.edu

To preserve a healthy skeleton and dentition a complex and exquisitely regulated process has evolved that involves complex interactions between the kidney, liver, skin, parathyroid-glands and brain. Growth factors, hormones, extracellular-matrix proteins, matrix-proteases and receptors mediate these dynamic interactions via a bewildering number of bone-cells (osteoblasts, odontoblasts, osteoclasts and osteocytes for example). These cells are interwoven by an intricate tapestry of molecules (collagen, proteoglycans), and cemented by a mineral-matrix (hydroxyapatite), consisting mainly of calcium and phosphate. The net result is an extraordinarily complex molecular and anatomical structure that is in constant flux with the external environment. In order to maintain the integrity of the skeleton, the concentrations of phosphate and calcium in plasma are monitored by sophisticated molecular sensing mechanisms. These mechanisms modulate bone mineralization, bone formation/resorption, intestinal calcium/phosphate uptake and renal mineral transport. Genetic factors, environmental circumstance and disease (cancer for example) impact on this finely tuned balance in major and unexpected ways.

Medical Applications:

Our research aims to generate biological compounds that will have potential for the therapeutic treatment of  tumor and familial diseases that result in bone-mineral loss and hypophosphatemic and hyperphosphatemic conditions. These diseases include tumor induced osteomalacia (OHO, TIO), X-linked and autosomal forms of hypophosphatemic rickets (HYP, ADHR), renal osteodystrophy, end stage renal failure, renal toxicity, renal-transplantation, ectopic calcification (vascular and renal), periodontal disease and osteoporosis .