The Diabetic Kidney Disease Program funds basic research on the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, natural history studies, and clinical trials through the R01 mechanism. Fundamental research focuses on the molecular pathogenesis of extracellular matrix expansion and glomerulosclerosis, the role of the renin-angiotensin system, growth factors, and cell signaling pathways, and the identification of treatments to prevent and reverse fibrosis.
Of special interest are studies to:
- understand the mechanisms of fibrosis,
- use non-invasive imaging techniques to assess fibrosis,
- discover genes that protect people from or predispose them to diabetic nephropathy, and
- identify early markers of increased risk for diabetic nephropathy.
For basic studies contact Dr. Krystyna Rys-Sikora, Program Director, Basic Chronic Kidney Disease.
For clinical studies contact Dr. Michael Flessner, Program Director, Clinical Chronic Kidney Disease.
