Research

A look at current research initiatives going within the University of Louisville Division of Nephrology.

Clinical Research

  • Renal Pharmacology Group
  • Dialysis Research Group

Basic Research

  • Core Proteomics Laboratory
  • Molecular Signaling Group

The U of L Division of Nephrology has seven major areas of research:

Industry and Investigator-initiated dialysis research

These projects include investigation of dialysis membrane properties; cytokines and the inflammatory state of dialysis dependent kidney failure; prophylaxis for prevention of methicillin resistant staph aureus; computer modeling of individualized dosing of medications in the dialysis unit; comparative efficacies of erythropoietic stimulating agents; dialysis outcomes with home dialysis procedures; differential heparin requirements with different dialyzers; and efficacy of iron delivery through dialysate.

Industry and investigator-initiated transplantation research

These projects include determination of barriers to transplantation and outcomes of kidney transplantation.

Industry and investigator-initiated research in Interventional Nephrology

These projects include comparisons of angioplasty and stents in access stenosis and the efficacy of different stents for maintenance of vascular access patency.

Biomarker discovery in renal disease through a combination of proteomic and genomic techniques

These projects include identification of urinary markers for acute kidney injury, nephrolithiasis, diabetic nephropathy, lupus nephritis, and other glomerulonephritides. Additionally, projects to identify blood and tissue biomarkers for response to erythropoietic stimulating agents, development of coronary artery disease, and vascular access failure in ESRD patients are ongoing.

Molecular mechanisms in inflammatory diseases of the kidney

These projects include identification of mechanisms for neutrophil granule release, investigation into models of lupus nephritis, mechanisms of injury in ischemia reperfusion, and the role of programmed cell death in the recovery from the inflammatory response.

Mechanisms for the development of diabetic nephropathy

These projects include identification of signaling pathways activated by high glucose and high protein in mesangial and renal tubular cells, determination of immunohistochemical changes in mouse models of diabetic nephropathy, and proteomic identification of differential protein expression in diabetic kidneys.

Mechanisms for regulation of epithelial transport

These projects include regulation of the sodium pump, the sodium phosphate cotransporter, and their implications for blood pressure and mineral metabolism regulation.