Epithelial Transport Section, ETS, University of Southern Denmark Od.

THE DIMKE LABORATORY

Studying the regulation of claudins, epithelial channels, and transporters involved in mineral transport. Additional studies are focused on understanding the role of the endothelium in renal physiology and various forms of kidney diseases.

Part of Epithelial Transport Section (ETS)

University of Southern Denmark

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Research

Areas of research

Interdiciplinary Research

Est. 2014

The research conducted in the group of Henrik Dimke can be divided into two lines. Focus is directed towards:

1) Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms involved in maintaining mineral balance (Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphate) via trans- and paracellular pathways in kidney and intestine. In particular, we aim to understand the molecular regulation of divalent cation transport proteins such as the epithelial channels TRPV5 and TRPM6, which play key roles in renal Ca2+ and Mg2+ transport as well as the paracellular pore forming claudins. In addition, focus is directed towards understanding the role of the calcium sensing receptor and its involvement in renal calcium transport and kidney stone formation.

2) Moreover, additional studies are focusing on understanding the role of the endothelium in renal physiology and various forms of kidney disease.

Methods and Techniques

To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms involved in maintaining mineral balance, with special focus on the transport of the divalent cations calcium and magnesium in intestine and kidney, we have set up several approaches to study these specific areas utilizing various complex targeted transgenic strategies, histological and molecular biological techniques as well as human kidney isolates. In general, all studies aim to use whole-animal models to understand the often-complex relationship between structure and function of the kidney, intestine and bone as well as signaling cascades and hormonal regulatory systems functioning between cells and organs.

People

Research Areas

About

The Epithelial Transport Section is part of the Cardiovascular and Renal Research unit, situated in the Department of Molecular Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark. The unit consists of about 60 scientific and technical staff including students and is equipped to perform full characterization of complex targeted transgenic animals, primary isolates and cell culture models. Facilities within the department allow determinations of electrolytes, hormones and excellent facilities to allow determination of localization and expression of epithelial transport proteins. Animal facilities are available in the adjacent building at the Biomedical Laboratory.

Henrik Dimke is Professor of Translational Kidney Physiology. Henrik is a molecular biologist with a M.Sc from Aarhus University and a PhD from Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands. He has worked within the field of physiology for more than 15 years and been abroad for nearly 7 years at leading international research laboratories. The group of Henrik Dimke is part of the Epithelial Transport Section at the Cardiovascular and Renal Research unit, situated in the Department of Molecular Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark. In addition, Henrik Dimke is affiliated with the Department of Nephrology, at the Odense University Hospital.

The Dimke laboratory is funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the Carlsberg Foundation.

Follow Henrik Dimke on twitter @h_dimke and connect with Henrik Dimke on linked-in

Publications

81

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Open Positions

Members of Staff

04

People

The Dimke Group

The Dimke Group - Alumni

Education and positions

Professor of Translational Kidney Physiology at the Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 2021-present.
Guest reseacher at the Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark, 2018-present.
Assistant and Associate Professor at the Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 2014-2021.
Postdoctoral appointment at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada in the lab of Professor Susan Quaggin, 2011-2013.
Postdoctoral appointment at the Department of Physiology, Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Canada in the lab of Associate Professor Todd R. Alexander, 2011.
PhD student at the Department of Physiology, Radboud University Nijmegen. Supervised by Prof. R. Bindels and Prof. J. Hoenderop. Thesis title “Physiology of the distal convolution: convergence of electrolyte transport pathways”, 2006-2010.
Research Assistant at the Water & Salt Research Centre, Institute of Anatomy, University of Aarhus, Denmark, 2006.
Master of Science (Molecular biology) with the thesis title “The acute and chronic effects of growth hormone on renal regulation of electrolyte and water homeostasis in the rat”. Water & Salt Research Centre, Institute of Anatomy University of Aarhus, Denmark, 2003-2005.