The research aims at correlating cell ultrastructure and function, in particular in the kidney. Most investigations are carried out by electron microscopy in ombination with physiological experiments, cell fractionation, cytochemistry, munohistochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy and autoradiography.
Many projects involve extensive international collaboration.
Light- and electron microscope studies on nephron segments with special emphasis on structural adaptations to functional changes and immunocytochemical localization of membrane proteins. Expression and regulation of aquaporin membrane water channels and sodium transporters are analyzed by immunocytochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy, quantitative immunoblotting, quantitative Northern blotting and by functional studies. Studies include analysis of aquaporin 1-9 and sodium transporters in kidney, brain, lung and other tissues. The role of dysregulation of expression and targeting in water balance and salt disorders associated with kidney, heart and liver diseases are also studied. Characterization of protein and vitamin handling in kidney tubules studied by immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, electron microscopic autoradiography, immunoblotting, microperfusion studies of isolated tubules in vitro and micropuncture in vivo.