Three researchers working on a laptop
Nephrology Research

Our faculty and staff conduct basic science, clinical, and outcomes research covering a broad range of kidney diseases. 

Research areas include acute kidney injury and repair, glomerular diseases, cystic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease and chronic kidney disease, along with related complications such as diabetes, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

The goal of all our research is to discover and develop new management and treatment options for patients with kidney disease, and to better educate our communities (regionally, nationally, and globally) on the risks and effects of kidney disease and how to prevent it. In 2021, our division received over $20 million in federal, industry, and foundation funding to support our research activities.

Our research projects are supported by the NIH, foundation, and industry grants. Our division is also home to the George M. O'Brien Michigan Kidney Translational Core Center, which is funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease and just one of eight O’Brien Kidney Centers in the country.

In addition, many of our faculty members conduct research with the Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center, Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation, Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, and Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, with several faculty members serving in leadership roles.

Video: U-M & ADA on Diabetes Complications

Researchers from various disciplines discuss finding treatments and methods to prevent diabetic complications.

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Research Areas
Basic Science Research

We have made significant strides in multiple basic science areas, leading to improvements in treatment and management options.

Clinical Research

Our division has a broad range of clinical research interests and has seen exciting growth in several areas of research.

Outcomes Research

Learn about our division's concerted and long-standing interest in renal epidemiology and outcomes research.

Faculty Lab Websites
  • Ken Inoki, MD, PhD
    Our lab researches mechanisms that regulate cellular growth, in particular signal transduction pathways coordinating and mediating protein translation.
  • Anna Mathew, MD
    Our lab explores the mechanism underlying the higher risk of cardiovascular disease in kidney patients compared to patients of the same age with normal kidney function.
  • Matthias Kretzler, MD
    We are researching kidney disease to find targeted therapeutic interventions and discover ways to prevent its onset.
  • Subramaniam Pennathur, MD
    The central theme of our research has focused on the applications of biological mass spectrometry in disease pathogenesis.