The human kidney is made up about 1 million nephrons, the working unit of the kidney. Each nephron is a very complex structure with highly specialized segments responsible for specific physiological functions. While the initial induction events of nephrogenesis have been well studied, the developmental patterning events that form the segments of the mature nephron are not well understood. The goal of this work is to understand the formation of the nephron by identifying transcriptional regulators involved in this process. To isolate segments of the nephron, we will use Auto-Fluorescent Protein reporters expressed in each segment of the nephron in transgenic mice. Using various expression profile techniques, we will compare each segment to identify genes differentially expressed in the nephron. Using a high throughput in situ hybridization approach we will characterize the expression of identified candidates in greater detail.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32DK060319-02
Application #
6555823
Study Section
General Medicine B Study Section (GMB)
Program Officer
Rankin, Tracy L
Project Start
2002-09-30
Project End
Budget Start
2002-09-30
Budget End
2003-09-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$38,320
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
071723621
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02138
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Georgas, Kylie; Rumballe, Bree; Valerius, M Todd et al. (2009) Analysis of early nephron patterning reveals a role for distal RV proliferation in fusion to the ureteric tip via a cap mesenchyme-derived connecting segment. Dev Biol 332:273-86
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