Dr. Luca Musante
Master of the Golden Liquid
I started to study the biochemistry of urinary markers in renal disease in humans 22 years ago while serving as a researcher at my home town childrens’ hospital in Italy. My main research interest there was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a type of glomerular kidney disease which leads to permanent kidney damage. I was struck by the fact that some of our patients showed a recurrence of the disease even after kidney transplant. Unfortunately, the most common diagnostic test was and still is kidney biopsy, which is a very invasive tool, especially for pediatric patients. It was back then when I truly grasped the importance of urine as an incredible source of information to clarify mechanisms of kidney disease and decided to devote my research on making urinalysis the best way to diagnose kidney conditions.
Since then, I have been optimizing the use of lab tools which are now so sensitive as to allow us to analyze urinary Extracellular Vescicles, microscopic cell-to-cell information carriers which are novel biomarkers of kidney disease. In Dr. Uta Erdbrügger Lab at UVA I am applying my experience to help patients affected by kidney disease caused by a different range of conditions, among which hypertension and diabetes.
Bio:
1994 Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Genova, Genova (Italy)
1996-2007 Researcher at the Laboratory on Pathophysiology of Uremia, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genova (Italy)
2000 M.S. Degree in Biochemical and Analytical Clinical Chemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia (Italy)
2005 Ph.D. in Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (Italy)
2008 Ph.D. Researcher, Centre of Bioanalytical Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin (Ireland)
2016 Ph.D Researcher, Division of Nephrology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA (U.S.A.)
2018 Assistant Professor of Research, Division of Nephrology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA (U.S.A.)
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