Garrett, Michael, MBA, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Specialization: Genomics, Animal Models
Tel: (414) 456-4754 Dr. Garrett's CV
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Our laboratory has a broad interest in understanding the genetic basis of many forms of kidney disease such as hypertension and diabetes related nephropathy, nephrotic syndrome, and kidney stone disease. Presently, our major focus is to understand the genetic basis of kidney disease observed in the Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rat, a model of hypertension-related kidney disease. The laboratory takes a multidisciplinary approach to achieve this goal by utilizing animal models, cell-culture based systems, genetic and genomics methods, proteomics, and bioinformatics. Detailed genetic analyses using the S and the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) have defined several genomic regions that predispose the S rat to develop proteinuria, impaired kidney function, and hypertension. Current projects are: (1) to identify the gene(s) on chromosome 2 that cause the S rat to develop proteinuria and impaired kidney function. Fine-mapping strategies have reduced the chromosomal interval to contain 47 known and/or predicted genes, including several interesting candidate genes; (2) to identify the gene(s) on chromosome 11 associated with impaired kidney function in the SHR; and (3) to understand mechanisms of onset and progression of renal fibrosis. Future research will include; (1) investigating the genetic basis of diabetic nephropathy in the GK rat; (2) investigating genetic susceptibility of kidney stone formation using the S and Brown Norway (BN) rat; and (3) to translate the knowledge gained in studying the rat (i.e., genetic variants found to cause kidney disease) into humans by performing human based genetic analysis.
