Jeffrey Pressly , PhD

2022 Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship

Institution: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Project Title: Oxysterol-Binding Protein Like 7 in Chronic Kidney Disease

How would you sum up your research in one sentence?

My research focuses on lipid dysregulation in chronic kidney disease—notably, the role of Oxysterol-binding protein like 7 in podocyte viability.

Provide a brief overview of the research you will conduct with help from the grant.

By undertaking the research conducted with help from this award, I hope to elucidate the role of OSBPL7 in mediating the lipid distribution and export in health and disease, specifically chronic kidney disease. I plan to further expand my training in basic and translational research by 1) broadening my knowledge in lipid-related renal disease, endoplasmic reticulum physiology, and mitochondrial biology, 2) mastering the techniques of plasmid design, construction, and modification to be better able to study protein biology, 3) learning adeno-associated viral gene delivery, and 4) developing zebrafish models of OSBP deficiency and investigate the renal phenotype in this model system. Mastering techniques to investigate the role of oxysterol binding proteins in lipid dysmetabolism in renal disease will be critical for my ability to study renal disease as an independent investigator.

What impact do you hope your research will have on patients?

Currently, drugs targeting OSBPL7 are entering Phase II clinical trials. Therefore, any further information on the role of OSBPL7 in podocyte viability will be valuable for advancing these novel therapies.

What inspired you to focus your research in this area?

Kidney disease is personal to me, affecting members of my close family. This naturally led me to nephrology, where I realized there is a lack of effective treatments for various renal disease.

In one sentence, please describe the importance of having grant funding available through KidneyCure.

KidneyCure provides an essential funding source for emerging scientists regardless of citizenship, age, race, sex, or gender.

Something you may not know about me is…

I like fashion.

In my free time I like to…

Workout and cook.