Research Interests
The central objective of our laboratory is to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets for acute kidney injury (AKI). AKI is a complex, clinically heterogeneous syndrome; despite its substantial clinical impact, effective treatments that directly prevent or limit kidney tubular cell injury remain unavailable. Our research investigates how metabolic stress, redox balance, and metabolic sensing regulate renal tubular cell injury and cell death pathways. Specifically, we focus on understanding how transcriptional and epigenetic regulators integrate metabolic cues to shape cellular responses during kidney injury.
Our current research areas include:
· Metabolic sensing and signaling in AKI
· Redox-dependent transcriptional and epigenetic regulation
· Metabolic dysfunction in renal tubular epithelial cells
· Sex differences in susceptibility and response to kidney injury
· Metabolic and molecular mechanisms driving the transition from AKI to chronic kidney disease (CKD)
· Identification and validation of molecular mechanisms-based therapeutic targets for AKI
We utilize an integrated translational approach combining genetically engineered mouse models, primary renal cell cultures, molecular and cellular biology, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and established in vivo murine models of ischemic, nephrotoxic, and rhabdomyolysis-associated kidney injury to uncover druggable targets to prevent or treat AKI.