Prof. Dr. med. Olivier Devuyst

Area of Research

Description of Research Interest

Regulation of body fluid homeostasis is of vital importance for all terrestrial organisms. In most mammals, the maintenance of the hydration status and normal plasma electrolytes levels critically depends on the appropriate handling of water and ions by the kidneys. This essential function involves specific transport systems operating in the epithelial cells lining kidney tubules. In the past two decades, our understanding of the transport mechanisms across biological membranes has substantially improved with the molecular identification and structural characterization of key proteins (channels, transporters, or their regulators) that are expressed in the nephron. The discovery of these molecules, initiated by classical biochemical approaches, has benefited from the molecular genetics analysis of rare genetic diseases. The analysis of such diseases has provided essential informations about the mechanisms of water and solute handling by the nephron. In turn, these insights improved the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of renal diseases and associated conditions such as dehydration, electrolyte disorders, hypertension, growth retardation, nephrolithiasis, and progressive renal failure.

Special Expertise

Investigations of renal function parameters
Deep phenotyping of kidney disorders
Microdisssection and primary epithelial cell culture systems
Rare kidney disorders
Population genetics

Shareable Platforms, Services, Equipment & Infrastructure

Humanized mouse models of rare kidney diseases
zebrafih models of renal tubular diseases
Highly differentiated cell culture systems
Human cohorts and biobanking: rare disorders, normal populations
Platform for high-throughput biochemical analyses