Olivier Devuyst

Prof. Olivier Devuyst is a Full Professor and Head of the 'Mechanisms of inherited kidney disorders' research group at the Department of Physiology, University of Zurich. He co-leads the University Research Priority Program (URPP) ITINERARE (2021-2032), a translational initiative targeting rare diseases affecting 500,000 people in Switzerland. His work integrates molecular genetics, patient studies, and animal models to investigate renal fluid/electrolyte homeostasis and its clinical implications for hypertension, kidney stones, and dialysis.

His primary research interests focus on epithelial transport mechanisms in kidney tubules, with emphasis on water/ion channels, lysosomal storage disorders, and genetic mutations underlying tubulopathies and polycystic kidney disease. Key projects include: TRPV4 mechanosensing in proteinuria, uromodulin's role in hypertension and urinary tract infection resistance, and AQP1 regulation in peritoneal dialysis. His group pioneers translational approaches linking rare disease insights to common conditions like progressive renal failure.

Recent publications (2019-2023) reveal strong trends in lysosomal-autophagy pathways and genetic modifiers of renal function, with high-impact studies in Nature Communications, NEJM, and Science Signaling demonstrating how rare disease mechanisms inform treatments for dialysis patients and genetic hypertension.

His scientific awards include:

• 2019 Award for Outstanding Basic Science Contributions to Nephrology (ERA-EDTA)
• 2019 Dr. D.G. Oreopoulos Memorial Award (Canadian Society of Nephrology)

Devuyst actively advises PhD students through UZH's Life Science Graduate School and secures major grants via:

• EU consortia: TrainCKDis, EUNEFRON, EURenOmics, TranCYST
• Swiss networks: NCCR Kidney.CH, ERA-EDTA Working Group on Inherited Kidney Disorders

The MIKADO lab maintains extensive biobanks including 500+ kidney biopsies and 800+ peritoneal dialysis DNA samples, utilizing transgenic mouse models, segment-specific cell cultures, and high-throughput genomic platforms to dissect tubular transport defects and develop targeted therapies.