Research

Research in the Division remains an area of major focus with ongoing and new research both in basic science in renal immune injury and clinically in dialysis as well as transplant nephrology.

Basic research focuses on identification of biochemical pathways that are activated in the course of renal injury and then lead to production of vasoactive and pro/anti-inflammatory mediators through experimental models of renal immune injury. Recent highlights of this research include the discovery of regulatory interactions between nitric oxide and eicosanoids in animal models of renal immune injury, discovery of regulatory interactions between heme-oxygenase-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in animal models of renal immune injury, characterization of the localization of heme-oxygenase-1 in the kidney, and characterization, description, and mechanisms of adenosine receptors in kidney cells and adenosine-induced apoptosis.

Clinical research continues to center on dialysis related areas including renal osteodystrophy, anemia, depression, pulse pressure and its effect in peritoneal dialysis patients, hepatitis vaccination and dialysis patient literacy skills.

Transplant nephrology clinical research centers on immunosuppressive pharmacologic management through participation in industry sponsored trials.