Christopher Banek

Assistant Professor, Physiology
Member of the Graduate Faculty

Medical Research Building, 425

My laboratory focus is dedicated to investigating the role of peripheral neural control of cardiovascular and kidney health and disease. Our current research projects are focused on studying the role of peripheral sensory nerves in the development and maintenance of (a) hypertension (i.e. high blood pressure) and (b) polycystic kidney disease. Sensory nerves in the kidney appear to also contribute to both the development and maintenance of several models of experimental cardiovascular and kidney disease through a gradual, pathological elevation in renal afferent nerve activity. It is unclear what is driving this change in activity, as well as the physiological responses to both acute and chronic sensory nerve activation. We employ chronic telemetry-based approaches as well as acute electrophysiological preparations to evaluate the changes in nerve activity and the corresponding cardiovascular and renal responses. Additionally, we take a molecular approach to study the particular proteins and non-peptide signals that may be the primary drivers of sensory nerve activation.

https://physiology.arizona.edu/lab-page/banek-lab

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=banek%20ct

Research Interest
Hypertension; Salt-sensitive Hypertension; Renal denervation; Autonomic Nervous System; Sensory Nerves; Polycystic Kidney Disease; Chronic Kidney Disease; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Vascular Function
Offering Research Opportunities
Yes
Prerequisite Courses
None
Majors Considered
Physiology, Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience, Nutritional Sciences
Types of Opportunities
Description of Opportunity
No description given
Start Date
Primary Department
Affiliated Departments
Research Location