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New research project in Cologne: Revolution in kidney medicine!
The University of Cologne will receive 15.5 million euros for research into podocytes and their role in kidney disease.
New research project in Cologne: Revolution in kidney medicine!
The German Research Foundation (DFG) has launched a new Transregio/Collaborative Research Center (SFB/TRR) at the University of Cologne that deals intensively with the signal transduction of podocytes. The SFB/TRR 422 is entitled “PodoSigN – Podocyte Signal Transduction: From the Basics to Understanding Disease” and will initially be funded over a period of three years and nine months. With a financial volume of 15.5 million euros, including the program fee, this project represents a significant step in research into the molecular processes of kidney cells.
The research activities are carried out in close collaboration with the universities of Hamburg and Münster. Under the direction of Professor Dr. Thomas Benzing from the University Hospital of Cologne and Professor Dr. Tobias Huber from the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf focuses primarily on the molecular control processes of the podocytes. These specialized cells coat the blood vessels of the kidney filter and play a crucial role in urine production. Damage to the podocytes not only leads to the loss of vital proteins, but also to serious kidney dysfunction.
Molecular mechanisms in focus
The aim of the research is to fully decipher the mechanisms that lead to podocyte damage. For this purpose, molecular “checkpoints” are identified that should enable new therapeutic approaches. The planned research will be supported by modern technologies, including single cell analyses, innovative imaging methods and AI-supported data evaluations. The results of these studies will be integrated into digital models linked to tissue collections to promote a comprehensive understanding of disease mechanisms.
A central topic of research is the role of the cell adhesion protein nephrin. According to the findings of the Medical Faculty Münster Nephrin is essential for the formation and maintenance of the podocyte foot processes and for the slit membranes. Damage to these structures can lead to serious disruption of the filtering function of the kidney, often resulting in fusion of podocyte foot processes.
Podocytes and their challenges
Podocytes are postmitotic cells with limited adaptability and can only respond to damage by hypertrophy of neighboring cells. Inadequate compensation for this damage can lead to glomerulosclerosis and thus a loss of kidney function. The causes of podocyte damage include both genetic and environmental factors. This includes a range of genetic disorders such as Alport syndrome or minimal change disease, as well as environmental influences such as arterial hypertension and diabetic nephropathy.
Understanding the molecular basis of these diseases, known as podocytopathies, is the focus of molecular nephrology. The Research institutions in Münster use special podocyte cell lines and genetic mouse models to carry out biochemical, molecular and cell biological studies. The aim is to gain a detailed understanding of the interactions between different genes and podocyte morphology.
Exploring the signaling patterns in these cell types is crucial because approximately 80% of end-stage renal disease is due to glomerular diseases. With this new funding measure, the DFG is pursuing the goal of gaining groundbreaking findings that can lead to the development of innovative therapeutic approaches.