Workgroup Kidney damage and nephroprotection

The kidney is exposed to many potentially toxic substances that enter the body through food and medications. Toxins can also be formed in the body itself through e.g. normal metabolic activities but also through pathophysiological events such as inflammatory processes and must be excreted through the kidney. This often results in the accumulation of substances in the kidney cells, leading to oxidative stress, DNA damage and cell death. Currently, there are few therapeutic options for slowing the progression of chronic kidney diseases. Using models of induced pluripotent stem cells (within the RTG 2578), the culture of precision cut kidney slices and animal experiments, we are investigating mechanisms of kidney damage, but also substances that can protect the kidney from injury.