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Sethu Madhavan , MD
CureGN/NEPTUNE Grant Recipient
Dr. Sethu Madhavan is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University. He is a physician-scientist whose research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a particular focus on podocyte biology. He completed his residency and fellowship in Internal Medicine and Nephrology through the Physician Scientist Training Program. Dr. Madhavan’s laboratory investigates how APOL1 genetic variants alter podocyte function and contribute to kidney injury. Using integrative approaches that combine imaging, functional genomics, and cell biological analyses, his work seeks to define the pathways by which APOL1 disrupts organelle homeostasis and promotes podocyte dysfunction. His long-term goal is to uncover fundamental mechanisms that drive CKD progression and identify molecular targets to preserve kidney function.
Columbus, OH
Ohio State University
Lay Summary of the Project:
APOL1 gene risk variants are a major genetic driver of kidney disease, yet the mechanisms linking these variants to kidney injury remain poorly defined. This pilot project uses integrative genomic and transcriptomic approaches to uncover how peroxisomal dysfunction contributes to APOL1-associated kidney injury. By combining human kidney biopsy datasets with mechanistic studies in cell models, the project aims to identify peroxisomal pathways that are disrupted early in disease and uncover new therapeutic targets to restore metabolic balance in podocytes. Insights from this work will guide the development of future targeted therapies for APOL1-associated kidney disease.
