Research

Fluorescent kidney histology
Image credit: Ryan Cornelius, PhD

Our research programs address fundamental questions related to kidney function in health and disease. We employ a variety of experimental model systems ranging from yeast to humans.

Our basic science faculty use a wide array of techniques, including molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, and microscopy, to study the physiology of the kidney and the mechanistic bases of kidney disease and hypertension. Our clinical research faculty utilize varying epidemiologic and clinical research techniques to strengthen our knowledge of kidney disease. As a division, we aim to transform our findings into the improved treatment of renal diseases in collaboration with the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute.

Basic Science Research

  • Genetic factors in systemic water balance and clinical disorders of water and electrolyte balance (Cohen Lab)
  • Role of COP9 signalosome in kidney disease and hypertension (Cornelius Lab)
  • Interactions between diet, genes, and aldosterone in causing and treating high blood pressure (Ellison Lab)
  • Causes and treatment of diuretic resistance and kidney tubule remodeling (Ellison Lab)
  • Role of proximal tubule megalin in rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury (Hutchens Lab)
  • Pathologic mechanisms of acute cardiorenal syndromes (Hutchens Lab)
  • Molecular regulation of sodium and potassium homeostasis (McCormick Lab)

Clinical Research

Glomerulonephritis and Renal Pathology

  • Clinical trials in IgA and monoclonal paraproteinemia glomerulonephritis (Rupali Avasare)
  • Glomerulonephritis clinical outcomes (Rupali Avasare)
  • Clinical-pathologic disease correlations in diabetic nephropathy and autoimmune disease (Rupali Avasare)
  • Renal pathology and clinical correlations (Nicole Andeen)

Transplant Medicine

  • Clinical outcomes in transplantation with HCV+ donors and HCV- recipients (Shehzad Rehman)
  • Clinical outcomes in post-transplant renal TMA (Shehzad Rehman, Jay Pandav)
  • Mycophenolate pharmacokinetics in patients with total colectomies (Shehzad Rehman, Jay Pandav)
  • Infection risk with transplant induction immunosuppression in elderly recipients (Shehzad Rehman)

CKD/ESRD

  • Quality improvement in dialysis outcomes (Pavan Chopra)
  • Depression associated with chronic dialysis (Pavan Chopra)
  • Development of multidisciplinary electronic care plans for chronic kidney disease (Pavan Chopra)
  • Off-target effects of anti-proteinuric therapy (Cohen Lab)
  • Streamlining care for thrombosed vascular access (Raghav Wusirika)

Hypertension

  • Kidney disease and hypertension in older adults (Jessica Weiss)
  • Development of clinical decision support tools in hypertension (Rob Rope)
  • Circadian rhythm and hypertension physiology (Rob Rope)

Other

  • Genetic Treatment of Cystinuria (Raghav Wusirika)
  • Pricing and availability of pharmaceuticals (Cohen Lab)
  • Million Veteran Program and All of Us Research Programs on genotype-phenotype investigations (Cohen Lab)
The OHSU School of Medicine has launched a new Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Sciences that provides a flexible and interdisciplinary training experience that prepares students to make significant contributions to biomedical research in diverse scientific careers. Listen to our students and faculty talk about the opportunities and experience at OHSU, then learn more here: http://www.ohsu.edu/YourPhD

Lamfrom Biomedical Research Building