Catherine Meyer-Schwesinger

Professor Catherine Meyer-Schwesinger is Director of the Institute of Cellular and Integrative Physiology within the Center for Experimental Medicine at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). She is a distinguished nephrologist with expertise in podocyte biology, kidney diseases, and autoimmune glomerulonephritis. Her research has significantly advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying various kidney pathologies.

Dr. Meyer-Schwesinger's primary research interests include:

• Podocyte biology and injury mechanisms
• Membranous nephropathy and autoimmune kidney diseases
• The role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in kidney physiology
• Complement system activation in kidney disease
• Mechanisms of proteinuria and glomerular filtration

Her extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of kidney disease. Recent work has particularly emphasized the role of podocytes in kidney function and disease, with investigations into how autoantibodies, complement activation, and cellular proteostasis contribute to glomerular damage. Her research employs advanced techniques including single-cell transcriptomics, multiplex imaging, and sophisticated animal models to unravel complex disease mechanisms.

Among her notable scientific contributions are discoveries related to:

• The pathogenic role of autoantibodies in podocytopathies
• Mechanisms of complement activation in membranous nephropathy
• The function of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in podocyte health
• Novel insights into anion exchangers and kidney physiology
• Immune cell contributions to kidney inflammation and damage

Dr. Meyer-Schwesinger has established herself as a leader in nephrology research, with her work frequently published in high-impact journals including Nature, Cell, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, and Kidney International. Her research program bridges basic science with clinical applications, aiming to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for kidney diseases.