Research

Research in the Division of Nephrology covers a wide spectrum of clinical disorders that affect patients with kidney diseases.

Researchers are involved in clinical trials, translational research, and basic science research studies. In the clinical and translational realm, research is being performed to develop new approaches to treat diabetic kidney disease in animal models. New modalities are being tested to treat hypertension, and studies are being performed to treat the anemia and hyperphosphatemia in ESRD patients more effectively.

Novel approaches are being developed to improve organ donation among minorities and patients of lower socioeconomic status. Investigators analyze the UNOS database to develop insights into how best to treat patients with kidney transplants and are performing immunosuppressive drug trials in this patient population. Researchers in the division have made major progress in understanding the pathogenesis of common glomerular diseases such as idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis and new assays are being developed to diagnose and potentially treat patients clinically. Basic scientists in the division are using x-ray crystallography to determine the atomic structure of key proteins in the kidney that are involved in the pathogenesis of various acquired and hereditary kidney diseases in order to understand the molecular mechanisms involved and to develop targeted drug approaches for treating patients.