Overview
Dr. Swain is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and a basic research scientist. He has expertise in ion channel biology and is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of mechanically activated ion channels in regulating pancreatic and intestinal pathophysiology. Mechanical ion channels regulate critical physiological processes such as cell migration, growth, and tissue repair. However, altered channel activities lead to fibrosis and cancer. His long-term goal is to understand how mechanosensing regulates pancreatic and intestinal function and regeneration and how targeting these channels could be a checkpoint to pancreatic and intestinal fibrosis. Dr. Swain works with Dr. Rodger Liddle on the following areas: (1) mechanisms of mechanically induced acute pancreatitis (2) mechanisms of pancreatic fibrosis (3) gut neuroendocrine cell signaling and (4) pancreatic regeneration and cancer.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Loss of TRPV4 reduces pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis.
Journal Article JCI Insight · December 8, 2025 Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a rapidly metastasizing cancer characterized by a dense desmoplastic stroma composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which complicates treatment. Upon stimulation, pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) differen ... Full text Link to item CitePhosphate Improves Mitochondrial Function and Reduces Pancreatitis in Hypertriglyceridemia.
Journal Article FASEB J · August 31, 2025 Hypertriglyceridemia-associated pancreatitis (HTGP) accounts for 9% to 10% of acute pancreatitis; however, the exact cause and associated factors advancing HTGP are unclear. Clinical studies have revealed that hypophosphatemia is a common factor in many pa ... Full text Link to item CitePiezo1-induced durotaxis of pancreatic stellate cells depends on TRPC1 and TRPV4 channels.
Journal Article J Cell Sci · April 15, 2025 Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are primarily responsible for producing the stiff tumor tissue in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Thereby, PSCs generate a stiffness gradient between the healthy pancreas and the tumor. This gradient induces durota ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Mechanisms of Pancreatic Fibrosis
ResearchResearch Scientist · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2026Mechanisms of mechanically-induced acute pancreatitis
ResearchResearch Associate · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2019 - 2026Metabolic regulation of pancreatitis
ResearchResearch Associate · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2025View All Grants