Johns Hopkins University · PhysiologyRao Nutrient Lab
Rajini Rao · Baltimore, Maryland
Research Focus
Dr. Rajini Rao's lab at Johns Hopkins University focuses on understanding how certain proteins help regulate important cellular processes like pH balance and nutrient absorption. Their research connects genetic variations to diseases such as autism and cancer, as well as exploring how mothers and infants get essential minerals during pregnancy and lactation. By developing innovative methods to study these processes, the lab aims to pave the way for better health outcomes for both mothers and their children.
sodium-proton exchangersnutrient transportpregnancylactationhuman organoids
Research Aims
5AIM 01Identify the functional roles of sodium-proton exchangers in disease-related cellular processes.
AIM 02Evaluate the impact of genetic variants in sodium-proton exchangers on human health.
AIM 03Investigate how maternal and infant gut systems adapt nutrient transport during lactation.
AIM 04Develop organoid models to study transport mechanisms in human tissues.
AIM 05Create collaborative infrastructure for research on human transporter physiology.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturegene editingfluorescent microscopytwo-ion measurementorganoid modelsbiochemical assayssequencing techniquesdata analysisbioinformatics
Output against the department
Publications136bottom 44% of dept.159th of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations7.7ktop 43% of dept.122nd of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.