Mount Sinai Center for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology

Current Research

The Renal Health Program is involved with two major research projects.

Exploring Signaling Crosstalk Among Cells in the Kidney

The Renal Health Program identified an unexpected cellular cross-talk among cells in the glomerulus, thus revealing a previously unrecognized interdependence of cells in the kidney glomerulus. In particular, the researchers are examining the signaling crosstalk among podocytes, endocapillary cells, and mesangial cells. The findings from these efforts have laid a path for exploring the early reversible phase of the disease, and this study provides an unprecedented opportunity to discover novel glomerular lesion-specific therapeutic targets of kidney disease and its progression.

Genetic Susceptibility to Developing Progressive Kidney Disease

Using knowledge gained from animal studies, the group is seeking to identify biomarkers in urine for early detection of disease and its progression. This research effort has so far led to the discovery of DNA variants linked to the regulation of xanthine oxidoreductase and production of reactive-oxygen species in relation to the susceptibility to diabetic kidney complications and aging. Early detection of patients at risk would improve chances for successful management and/or treatment through precision medicine.