We mainly study two important aspects of human kidney disease. First, we study the cellular background for kidney regeneration. The traditional concept that the human kidney lacks a stem cell compartment has recently been challenged by an alternative view, stating that stem cells indeed are localized to the kidney. The issue is thus far from settled and we are currently researching this important area. We have discovered important markers and signaling networks, that characterize the regenerative cells of the human kidney and are currently following up these leads. Our second area of investigation concerns renal cell carcinoma. The various forms of kidney cancer all display a very aberrant cellular metabolism. We currently investigate the metabolism of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). The goal is to exploit the pseudohypoxic cellular metabolism of this malignancy to identify novel therapeutic targets. Finally, papillary renal cell carcinoma, is also a focus for our research.

Martin Johansson is Research Group Leader for this research group