Diane Gesty-Palmer

Dr. Gesty-Palmer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Her laboratory principally examines G protein-coupled receptor signaling mechanisms in bone metabolism with emphasis on parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptor biased agonism. These studies explore novel mechanisms of PTH receptor signaling and the contributions of β-arrestin to modulate bone formation and bone resorption. Her work has recently shown that β-arrestin, classically thought to turn off G protein signaling, activates a distinct G protein-independent signaling mechanism to stimulate bone formation. Examination of β-arrestin mediated signaling events may provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Dr. Gesty-Palmer is the recipient of a BIRCWH Scholar Award for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health in 2006 and an Arthritis Foundation Investigator Award in 2007.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine · 2011 - Present Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Medicine

Recent Publications

'Biasing' the parathyroid hormone receptor: a novel anabolic approach to increasing bone mass?

Journal Article Br J Pharmacol · September 2011 'Functional selectivity' refers to the ability of a ligand to activate and/or inhibit only a subset of the signals capable of emanating from its cognate G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). Whereas conventional GPCR agonism and antagonism can be viewed as mo ... Full text Link to item Cite

Osteoporosis in lung transplant candidates compared to matched healthy controls.

Journal Article Clin Transplant · 2011 PURPOSE: Advanced lung disease increases the risk for diminished bone mineral density (BMD). The prevalence and severity of osteoporosis in lung transplant candidates is unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated BMD of subjects screened for lung trans ... Full text Link to item Cite

The endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator 27-hydroxycholesterol is a negative regulator of bone homeostasis.

Journal Article Endocrinology · August 2010 Osteoporosis is an important clinical problem, affecting more than 50% of people over age 50 yr. Estrogen signaling is critical for maintaining proper bone density, and the identification of an endogenous selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, 27-hydr ... Full text Link to item Cite

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Recent Grants

Parathyroid hormone and osteoblast mitogenesis

ResearchResearch Associate · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2002 - 2006

Tyrosine kinases in G protein signaling

ResearchResearch Associate · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1998 - 2003

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Education, Training & Certifications

Duke University · 1997 M.D.

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · 1995 Ph.D.