Kidney Translational Research Center

Bridging basic science and clinical discovery through innovative human tissue research in kidney physiology and disease.

The Kidney Translational Research Center (KTRC), directed by Justin Van Beusecum, Ph.D. and Oleg Palygin, Ph.D., is dedicated to advancing our understanding of vascular and renal physiology, focusing on the molecular and cellular mechanisms within human kidney epithelial and endothelial cells. Historically, functional research has relied heavily on rodent models and heterologous expression systems due to limited access to human tissues leaving several essential questions, like the properties of ion transport, sex difference, or mechanisms of aging and metabolism in native human kidney largely unexplored.

Illustration of the Kidney Translational Research Center’s human tissue and sample processing workflow, showing kidney, adrenal gland, aorta, spleen, visceral fat, and plasma/serum samples used for studies of isolated glomeruli, tubules, and renal vessels. Techniques and resources include vibrodissociation, electrophysiology, confocal microscopy, glomerular volume analysis, histology, transcriptomics and metabolomics, primary cell culture repository, paraffin-embedded tissue repository, and frozen sample collection

Our mission is to bridge this gap by enhancing translational cardiorenal research at MUSC, serving investigators from diverse specialties, including Nephrology, Cardiology, Microbiology, Rheumatology, Immunology, and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. By employing cutting-edge methodologies, KTRC laboratories perform isolation of defined nephron segments, renal microvessels, immune cells, etc., for advanced studies using electrophysiology and confocal or two-photon microscopy. We also produce primary human kidney cell cultures and perform multi-omics approaches using renal tissue, cystic fluid, adrenal gland, visceral fat, etc.

The MUSC Transplant Center is among the largest kidney transplant programs in the nation, with 5,618 kidney transplants performed in 2021 alone. Organs prepared for transplantation are typically preserved in a University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, allowing for long-distance organ procurement. However, kidneys preserved in UW solution for over 16–24 hours face a higher risk of transplant rejection and, if not matched to a recipient, are often discarded. KTRC utilizes these organs for groundbreaking research. Our innovative methods preserve the viability of these kidneys for research, enabling detailed investigations of kidney structure and function, even after extended preservation periods.

Our Research

KTRC laboratories utilize state-of-the-art techniques to study kidney structure and function at unprecedented resolution. Core research capabilities include:

Isolation of defined nephron segments and renal microvasculature
Functional electrophysiology and ion transport studies
Confocal and two-photon imaging
Primary human kidney cell culture systems
Multi-omics analysis of renal tissue, cystic fluid, adrenal gland, visceral fat, and related specimens

We work with diverse human-derived materials, including kidney tissue, cystic fluid, adrenal gland, and visceral fat, enabling cross-system insights into renal disease mechanisms.

The MUSC Transplant Center is among the largest kidney transplant programs in the United States. Organs prepared for transplantation are typically preserved in a University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, allowing for long-distance organ procurement. However, kidneys preserved in UW solution for over 16–24 hours face a higher risk of transplant rejection and, if not matched to a recipient, are often discarded. KTRC utilizes these organs for groundbreaking research. Our innovative methods preserve the viability of these kidneys for research, enabling detailed investigations of kidney structure and function, even after extended preservation periods.

Charts summarizing Kidney Translational Research Center sample characteristics and biopsy findings. Sample distribution includes hypertension, 68.4%; heart or vascular disease, 52.6%; diabetes, 47.4%; high cholesterol, 36.8%; and no major comorbidities, 30.8%. Biopsy evaluation shows mild chronic changes in 40% of samples, minimal chronic changes in 27%, moderate chronic changes in 25%, and severe chronic changes in 8%.

KTRC employs a variety of cell isolation techniques, including non-enzymatic sieving and vibrodissociation, to generate primary cell cultures with well-defined patient clinical backgrounds. These

include endothelial cell cultures (derived from the aorta, glomeruli, and renal vasculature), as well as glomerular mesangial and parietal epithelial cell cultures.

In addition to leveraging human donor organs, the KTRC is actively expanding into xenotransplantation research, which represents one of the most promising frontiers in addressing the critical shortage of transplantable kidneys. Our center collaborates closely with the MUSC Transplant Surgery and DLAR programs, working with porcine models that closely mimic human renal anatomy and physiology. These efforts allow us to investigate mechanisms of ischemia-reperfusion injury, immune compatibility, and metabolic adaptation in a controlled translational setting. Through the collection and systematic cataloging of porcine kidneys and associated tissues, we are establishing a comprehensive pig tissue library that parallels our human biobank. This resource provides an invaluable comparative platform for multi-omics analyses, imaging, and functional studies, facilitating cross-species insights into renal pathophysiology and accelerating the development of novel therapeutic and organ preservation strategies.

Illustration of a Kidney Translational Research Center workflow showing human and pig samples processed into high-quality, low-time storage metabolomics-grade frozen samples and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. The samples support renal damage assessment and biopsy evaluation, transmission electron microscopy assessment, and immunohistochemistry staining for confocal imaging.

KTRC Research News & Capabilities

Latest News

The Polycystic Kidney Disease Research Resource Consortium (PKD RRC) develops and shares investigative resources, reagents and expertise with the broader research community to accelerate innovation and discovery in the field of polycystic kidney disease. Explore our resources and core services to see how we can help you advance your research goals.

On May 4, 2026 Dr. Oleg Palygin presented "Leveraging human and porcine tissues to advance nephrology research and transplant outcomes" at the PKD RRCMonthly Scientific Roundtable.

OUR PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS:

Recent Publications

Lupus nephritis serum induces changes in gene expression in human glomerular endothelial cells, which is modulated by L-sepiapterin: implications for redox-mediated endothelial dysfunction

Endothelin Receptor Autoantibodies as Emerging Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in the Cardiovascular Complications of Lupus

Regarding the challenges of amyloidosis diagnosis and typing in Ukraine

Metabolic Markers and Association of Biological Sex in Lupus Nephritis

Crosstalk between epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) and basolateral potassium channels (Kir 4.1/Kir 5.1) in the cortical collecting duct

Scanning ion conductance microscopy of live human glomerulus

Vibrodissociation method for isolation of defined nephron segments from human and rodent kidneys

In partnership with the Enos Steroid Analysis Lab, the KTRC is building a tissue specific mapping of sex hormones in different tissues and further exploring the signaling of these essential molecules in health and disease states.

KTRC Leadership

Justin P. Van Beusecum, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Nephrology

vanbeuse@musc.edu

Oleg Palygin, MSc, Ph.D., FAHA

SmartState Endowed Chair in Renal Disease Biomarkers
Professor, Nephrology

palygin@musc.edu

KTRC Advisory Board

Joshua H. Lipschutz, M.D.

Division Director & Professor, Nephrology
Arthur Williams Chair in Nephrology

James (Jim) C. Oates, M.D.

Division Director;
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Medicine;
Endowed Chair, Richard M. Silver, MD in Rheumatology;
Professor

James (Jim) C. Oates, M.D. was appointed to lead the Division following a national search in 2018. Dr. Oates is a graduate of Bates College and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he was a scholar in the prestigious Four Schools Physician Scientist Training Program. He completed an Internal Medicine Residency and Rheumatology Fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Oates moved to Charleston with his mentor, Dr. Gary Gilkeson, to complete an additional year of research fellowship training and in 1997 joined the MUSC Rheumatology faculty. Oates is an avid sailor much like his father, Dr. John Oates (Vanderbilt), which may have influenced his decision to move from Durham to Charleston. Dr. Oates was promoted to the rank of Professor of Medicine and has held a number of important leadership positions at MUSC, including Chief of the Rheumatology Section for the Charleston VA Medical Center, Vice-Chair for Research in the Department of Medicine, Chair of the Clinical and Translational Research Center Advisory Committee, and Informatics Medical Director for Research and Reporting. He has also held important leadership positions in regional and national societies, including President, Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (SSCI), President, American Federation for Medical Research, and editorial board member of the American Journal of Medical Sciences.

Dr. Oates’ major research interest is the role of reactive intermediates and endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis and atherosclerosis, for which he has conducted animal as well as human research. The discovery and validation of potential biomarkers and machine learning models for lupus nephritis outcomes and atherosclerosis are major goals. With funding awards from the NIH, US Department of Veteran Affairs, and various non-federal funding agencies, Dr. Oates maintains an active research program along with his clinical, teaching, and administrative roles. He envisions strengthening the Scleroderma and Lupus Centers with population health approaches, adding a Vasculitis Center, and maintaining the culture of dignity and respect created by Dr. Silver in the last 23 years. In addition to his passion for sailing, Dr. Oates is happiest when spending time with his wife Jennifer, children Evan and Aubrey, and Sherlock, the family dog.

Ruth C. Campbell, M.D., MSPH

Director, Clinical Operations
Associate Program Director, Nephrology Fellowship Program
DCI Nephrology Research Chair
Professor, Nephrology
APP Fellowship Medical Director – Nephrology