Podocyte metabolic signaling (D01)

• Subject Area: Nephrology ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 543604419

Kidney diseases disrupt podocyte metabolism, causing hypertrophy, foot process effacement, impaired differentiation, and cell loss. We previously demonstrated that mTOR and autophagy signaling are central regulators of podocyte metabolism, but key downstream pathways and therapeutic checkpoints remain unclear. This project uses CRISPR/Cas9-engineered podocytes to integrate multi-omics analyses with small molecule screening and morphology studies. These efforts aim to identify metabolic switches and develop novel therapeutic strategies.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 422: PodoSigN – Podocyte Signaling Networks - From Basic Concepts to Disease Understanding
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Tobias B. Huber; Dr. Nicola Wanner