Research Projects

Research in Dr. Kumar's Renal Disease Laboratory includes:

• The regulation of serum and whole body phosphate by novel phosphate-regulating hormones
• The mechanism of action 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in muscle, bone and the central nervous system
• The regulation of vascular remodeling in arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) that is required for hemodialysis and the treatment of vascular stenosis in AVFs with various novel chemical agents
• The pathogenesis of urinary stone disease focusing on defects in vitamin D metabolism
• The pathophysiology of skeletal muscle loss, cardiac abnormalities and bone loss in cancer cachexia
• The structural biology of DNA polymerase ζ
• Clinical bone mineral physiology in health and disease

In each of these areas, Dr. Kumar and his research team conduct both basic science and clinical studies. Dr. Kumar works closely with several other investigators in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Mayo Clinic who have interests in the area of urinary stone disease, including nephrologists John C. Lieske, M.D., and Andrew D. Rule, M.D. Close collaborations with radiologist Sanjay Misra, M.D., in the Department of Radiology have allowed the investigation of the mechanism of arteriovenous fistula formation.