Faculty

Felix Knauf, M.D.

Location

Rochester, Minnesota

Contact

Knauf.Felix@mayo.edu

SUMMARY

Felix Knauf, M.D., focuses on the role of oxalate and sulfate homeostasis in patients with kidney disease. His highly interdisciplinary investigations stretch from studies in organoids to research in animal models. In addition, Dr. Knauf's team bridges the gap between experimental and clinical research by examining new hypotheses in patient cohorts. He also performs investigator-initiated trials based on hypothesis generation as part of experimental research.

Focus areas

  • Oxalate-induced kidney and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Knauf is investigating how oxalate damages the kidney and how it promotes cardiovascular disease.
  • Role of the kidney in sulfate homeostasis. Dr. Knauf is investigating how a transporter involved in oxalate and sulfate movement is critical for musculoskeletal health.
  • Role of oxalate-lowering treatments. Dr. Knauf's research focuses on how lowering plasma and urine oxalate with oral enzyme or small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy lowers the risk for kidney and cardiovascular disease.

Significance to patient care

Kidney disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. While progress has been made in understanding the function of the kidneys, few advances have been made in finding targeted treatment approaches. Dr. Knauf focuses on rare diseases of the tubular system and how personalized and thereby highly effective treatments may be advanced.

Professional highlights

  • Co-director, M.D.-Ph.D. program, Re-Thinking Health, 2025.
  • Director, nephrology global health program, Balamu, 2023.
  • Tenured professor, Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Charité University Hospital, Germany, 2018, 2023.
  • Co-director, nephrology mentorship program, TRENAL, 2022.
  • Honorary professor, University College London, 2022.
  • German Society for Nephrology:
    • Nils Alwall Award, 2021.
    • Hans U. Zollinger Award, 2014.
  • Section chief, Nephrology, Campus Charité Mitte, Germany, 2021.
  • Adjunct assistant professor, Yale School of Medicine, 2013.
  • Max Rubner Award, Charité Foundation, 2013.

PROFESSIONAL DETAILS

Primary Appointment

  1. Senior Associate Consultant, Division of Nephrology & Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine

Academic Rank

  1. Professor of Medicine

EDUCATION

  1. Post Doctoral Research - Department of Nephrology, Laboratory Dr. Peter Aronson and in Immunology, Laboratory Dr. Richard Flavell Yale University School of Medicine
  2. Fellowship - Nephrology (ABIM Physician-Scientist Research Pathway) Yale University School of Medicine
  3. Internship/Residency Yale University School of Medicine
  4. Medical School - Final Medical Exam (Excellent) Humboldt University of Berlin
  5. Predoctoral Fellowship - Mentors: Dr. Gerhard Giebisch and Dr. Peter Aronson Yale University School of Medicine
  6. Medical School Albert-Ludwigs University
  7. Diploma - A-Level High School Andreanum

Clinical Studies

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Publications

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BIO-20578824

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