Robert G. Nelson, M.D., Ph.D.

Senior Investigator

Diabetes Epidemiology and Clinical Research Section, Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical Research Branch

NIDDK

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PECRB Building, Room 604
1550 E. Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85014

602-200-5205

rgnelson@mail.nih.gov

Research Topics

Research Goal

Our goal is to find the causes and identify new and effective treatments to slow the progression or prevent the development of diabetic kidney disease.

Current Research

Our lab has worked with the Pima Indians in Arizona since 1986, focusing primarily on the kidney complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Current activities include identifying biomarkers for diabetic kidney disease and characterizing the structural and functional changes within the kidneys that occur with the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease. Gene expression in kidney tissue and epigenetic modification of gene expression is also a major focus of our work.

Applying our Research

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease worldwide and is a major cause of death and disability. New therapeutic options may reduce the frequency of this disease.

Need for Further Study

More studies are needed to understand the causes of diabetic kidney disease and to find more effective treatments.

Biography

Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 1998
M.P.H., Harvard University, 1986
B.S., M.D., Loma Linda University, 1978

Selected Publications

Fufaa GD, Weil EJ, Lemley KV, Knowler WC, Brosius FC 3rd, Yee B, Mauer M, Nelson RG. Structural Predictors of Loss of Renal Function in American Indians with Type 2 Diabetes. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2016;11(2):254-61.
Sas KM, Kayampilly P, Byun J, Nair V, Hinder LM, Hur J, Zhang H, Lin C, Qi NR, Michailidis G, Groop PH, Nelson RG, Darshi M, Sharma K, Schelling JR, Sedor JR, Pop-Busui R, Weinberg JM, Soleimanpour SA, Abcouwer SF, Gardner TW, Burant CF, Feldman EL, Kretzler M, Brosius FC 3rd, Pennathur S. Tissue-specific metabolic reprogramming drives nutrient flux in diabetic complications. JCI Insight. 2016;1(15):e86976.
Saulnier PJ, Wheelock KM, Howell S, Weil EJ, Tanamas SK, Knowler WC, Lemley KV, Mauer M, Yee B, Nelson RG, Beisswenger PJ. Advanced Glycation End Products Predict Loss of Renal Function and Correlate With Lesions of Diabetic Kidney Disease in American Indians With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes. 2016;65(12):3744-3753.
Tangri N, Grams ME, Levey AS, Coresh J, Appel LJ, Astor BC, Chodick G, Collins AJ, Djurdjev O, Elley CR, Evans M, Garg AX, Hallan SI, Inker LA, Ito S, Jee SH, Kovesdy CP, Kronenberg F, Heerspink HJ, Marks A, Nadkarni GN, Navaneethan SD, Nelson RG, Titze S, Sarnak MJ, Stengel B, Woodward M, Iseki K, CKD Prognosis Consortium.. Multinational Assessment of Accuracy of Equations for Predicting Risk of Kidney Failure: A Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2016;315(2):164-74.
Saito R, Rocanin-Arjo A, You YH, Darshi M, Van Espen B, Miyamoto S, Pham J, Pu M, Romoli S, Natarajan L, Ju W, Kretzler M, Nelson R, Ono K, Thomasova D, Mulay SR, Ideker T, D'Agati V, Beyret E, Belmonte JC, Anders HJ, Sharma K. Systems biology analysis reveals role of MDM2 in diabetic nephropathy. JCI Insight. 2016;1(17):e87877.