Christopher Banek, PhD 

Assistant Professor, Physiology
Assistant Professor, Neuroscience - GIDP
Assistant Professor, Physiological Sciences - GIDP
Assistant Professor, BIO5 Institute
Assistant Professor, Sarver Heart Center
Christopher Banek

1656 E Mabel St
Medical Research Building
Room 425

MRB 425
Research Interests

Our research team studies the role of the peripheral nervous system in the onset and progression of cardiovascular and renal diseases, such as hypertension and polycystic kidney disease. We apply a multi- systems, chronic experimental approach to determine the mechanisms of cardio-renal disease progression, as well as the application of a translational surgical approach (e.g. renal denervation) to modulate nerve activity for disease treatment.

Degree(s)

  • 2010 BS Biochemistry/Cellular and Molecular Biology - University of Minnesota
  • 2011 BA Chemistry - University of Minnesota
  • 2014 PhD Human Physiology - University of Oregon
  • 2018 Post-Doctoral Autonomic Cardiovascular Physiology - University of Minnesota
Publication Highlights

Gauthier MM, Hayoz S, Banek CT. Neuroimmune Interplay in Kidney Health and Disease: Role of Renal Nerves. 2024. Auton Neurosci. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2023.103133

Dennis MR, Pires PW, Banek CT. (2023). Vascular Dysfunction in Polycystic Kidney Disease. J Vasc Res. 2023;60(3):125-136. doi: 10.1159/000531647.

Gauthier, M. M., Dennis, M. R., Morales, M. N., Brooks, H. L., & Banek, C. T. (2022). Contributions ofafferent and sympathetic renal nerves to cystogenesis and arterial pressure regulation in a preclinicalmodel of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. American journal of physiology. Renalphysiology, 322(6), F680–F691.https://doi.org/10.1152/ajprenal.00009.2022

Parvin I, Gauthier MM, Dennis MR, Encinas NM, Nangia EL, Schwartz KL, Banek CT. Sequential afferentand sympathetic renal denervation impact on cardiovascular and renal homeostasis in the maleSprague-Dawley rat. Life Sci. 2023 Jul 15;325:121768. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121768. Epub 2023 May 9.PMID: 37169146; PMCID: PMC10225348.