Tubular autophagy in diabetic nephropathy

Summary

The central aim of the project is to define the role of autophagy dysfunction leading to renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy.

Supervisor(s)

Professor Carol Pollock, Dr Xin-Ming Chen

Research Location

North Shore - Kolling Institute of Medical Research

Program Type

Masters/PHD

Synopsis

Diabetic nephropathy is a devastating complication of diabetes mellitus and the leading cause of end-stage renal failure, accounting for 35-50% of all new cases requiring dialysis therapy throughout the world. Diabetic nephropathy is a multi-factorial process and we still have an incomplete understanding of its genesis and progression. Current treatments at best slow the renal functional decline. Hence further investigation into the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, with the ultimate aim of developing novel therapies remains an area of active research. This project extends our laboratory's active pursuit of mechanisms and targets to reduce renal fibrosis with the aim being to mitigate the "tsunami" of renal failure predicted by epidemiologists and health economists. We have collective expertise in identifying the molecular mechanisms involved in the initiation and progression of diabetic nephropathy, with the ultimate aim being to develop new therapeutic strategies. The proposed studies will ultimately provide knowledge to target autophagy as a novel therapeutic target to halt the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Keywords

diabetes, Renal fibrosis, autophagy

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 1733

Other opportunities with Professor Carol Pollock

• The role of miRNAs in diabetic renal interstitial fibrosis
• Predicting the future risk of chronic kidney disease in offspring of obese mothers with and without type 2 diabetes
• Novel therapy to prevent and treat kidney fibrosis

Other opportunities with Dr Xin-Ming Chen

• The role of miRNAs in diabetic renal interstitial fibrosis