Ron Korstanje, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Studies the genetics of kidney function and disease, particularly in the context of aging, using genetically diverse mouse models.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing medical problem, and the number of patients progressing to end-stage renal disease has increased by 95 percent over the last 10 years in the United States. There are currently over half a million Americans on dialysis, a procedure that severely reduces quality of life and comes with much comorbidity. Furthermore, the impact of CKD is not limited to impairments related to renal failure. CKD is also recognized as an important risk factor for other ailments such as cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, stroke and hypertension. A critical and unavoidable contributor to CKD is normal kidney aging.
Our goal is to identify key genetic factors that contribute to the decline of function and damage in the aging kidney, to learn their role in the kidney, and to understand why variations of these factors lead to different outcomes. We do this by studying the natural genetic variation in mice and their association with different kidney phenotypes. Once causal genes are identified, we develop precision disease models for further study of the gene and to develop therapeutics that will slow down the decline of kidney function and development of disease.
Current Grants
P30 AG038070, NIH/NIA The Jackson Laboratory Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging
Role: Co-Principal Investigator and Core Leader
T32 AG062409, NIH/NIA Training Program in Precision Genetics of Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
RO1 ES029916, NIH/NIEHS, Genetic Factors that Influence Arsenic Toxicity
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Alport Syndrome Foundation, Pharmaceutical Targeting of Alport Syndrome Modifier Genes.
Role: Principal Investigator
Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, Resequencing and functional analyses of two candidate genes contributing to progression to ESRD in Type 1 diabetes
Role: Co-Investigator
-
Press ReleaseMarch 14, 2023Paigen Endowed Fellowship supports bladder function and aging research
Inaugural Paigen Fellow Cara Hardy, Ph.D., studies bladder-brain connections. -
Press ReleaseDecember 19, 2022An outstanding year of growth at The Jackson Laboratory
2022 has been a notable year for The Jackson Laboratory, with great achievements and many reasons to celebrate continued momentum for JAX’s mission. -
Search MagazineSeptember 08, 2021Researching why and how we age
The Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence is empowering innovative approaches to aging research. -
Research HighlightDecember 03, 2018Hibernating bears provide clues for kidney regeneration
JAX researcher Ron Korstanje is closer to understanding exactly how bear kidneys recover from the damage caused by hibernation.
-
Research HighlightDecember 20, 2022Revealing the biology of senescent cells
JAX is playing a major role to bridge experimental mouse and human data and reveal the biology of senescent cells. -
Research HighlightFebruary 15, 2022JAX researchers are delaying kidney failure
Ron Korstanje at JAX is searching for genetic clues to slowing the progress of end-stage renal disease in patients with Alport syndrome and other kidney diseases. -
Research HighlightJune 05, 2020Training the next generation of precision geneticists for aging and dementia research
Jackson Laboratory faculty have secured grant funding that will help train predoctoral students in cutting edge genetic theory and practice in the “Training Program in Precision Genetics of Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias." -
Profile StoryMay 29, 2018The future of aging
University of Arizona researcher George Sutphin had never touched a mouse before he arrived as a postdoctoral associate in the Korstanje lab at The Jackson Laboratory. Now he depends on the mouse and other models as he works to develop new clinical interventions to extend healthy human lifespan and treat age-associated disease.
-
Bearing down on kidney disease at The Jackson Laboratory
Ron Korstanje, Ph.D., is researching the nephrons of mice, zebrafish, and black bears, in order to find new ways to treat kidney damage and disease. -
UNE Keynote
The UNE Keynote address by Ron Korstanje.
-
Selena Neptune-Bear
Selena Neptune-Bear, JAX Summer Student Class of 2017