End stage renal disease affects millions of Americans and while manageable in its early phases through dialysis, the only treatment is kidney transplantation. Podocytes have been implicated in many kidney diseases and their structural role in the filtration barrier is thought to be a dynamic process by which the podocyte actively reorganizes its actin cytoskeleton. The goal of this project is to combine high-content image analysis with a novel nanotechnology platform to understand how podocytes retain their structural integrity against injury, and use this system to study how a major cell signaling pathway operates in the context of the glomerulus. Our novel research platform comprises spatially-specific microengineered 3-D surfaces that can induce the formation of cell-cell junctions in podocytes. Our platform allows the study of podocyte biomechanics along with other biochemical characteristics simultaneously all in a physiologically relevant microenvironment. Hence, the project is transformative in two ways: first by creating a new platform to study podocyte biology with greater physiological relevance and second by applying this system to test the biophysical effects of altered mechanobiological signaling that may affect the progression of chronic kidney disease at the cellular level. 1

Public Health Relevance

Podocytes are kidney cells that form a critical component of the filtration barrier. We propose to use an innovative combination of cell biology and mechanical engineering techniques to analyze the basis of structural integrity in these cells. This project provides key training opportunities, and it may directly translate into drug targets by improving our understanding of how these cells maintain their mechanical resilience against injury or disease conditions. 1

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31DK124135-01
Application #
9910693
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1)
Program Officer
Maric-Bilkan, Christine
Project Start
2019-09-06
Project End
2021-09-05
Budget Start
2019-09-06
Budget End
2020-09-05
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Engineering (All Types)
Type
Biomed Engr/Col Engr/Engr Sta
DUNS #
049179401
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10027