Functional Genomics and Biomarker Research
in Kidney Disease

This website contains information about the
Functional Genomics and Biomarker Research group at the Department of Internal Medicine IV (Nephrology and Hypertension) at the Medical University of Innsbruck/Austria.

Our research is focused on gene expression profiling in renal biopsy tissue from patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD), e.g. minimal change disease, focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis, lupus nephritis, membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy and other.

RNA preparations from whole kidney tissue or from specific cell populations isolated by laser-capture microdissection (LCM) are analysed using microarray and real-time PCR techniques.
We use systems biology based approaches in which differentially regulated genes (between controls and patients, or between patients with different clinical courses) are analysed using pathway and network analysis, analysis of metabolic functions and/or biological categories.

On the other hand we aim to identify biomarkers of progression of CKD, which we further evaluate on RNA and on protein level.
For this purpose we optimize protocols for ELISAs in serum and urine, and we apply protocols for immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence in renal biopsies.

The characteristic expression and regulation of potential candidate genes/proteins are further elucidated in in vitro cell culture experiments. Furthermore, we provide our knowledge in microarray and systems biology analysis in several national and international cooperations.

contains an overview of our research projects, a collection of microarray- and real-time PCR-protocols, raw-data and detailed project descriptions and a collection of genomics-related links.

During review-process of the manuscripts the access to raw-data in the "Publications" section is restricted to reviewers. Upon acceptance of the paper detailed information including supplementary figures and tables is freely accessible.

Dr Michael Rudnicki