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Focus on Genetic Kidney Diseases / Plans to Expand Clinical Trials

Prof. Dr. Jan Halbritter has served as the new Medical Director of the Department of Medicine IV – Nephrology at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg since April 2026. With his clinical and scientific expertise, he is enhancing care for patients with kidney disease: The primary goal is to prevent kidney failure through targeted early diagnosis and the implementation of innovative strategies to slow disease progression. For cases where kidney failure has already occurred, the focus is on organ replacement, particularly through the advancement of transplant medicine. Halbritter succeeds Prof. Dr. Gerd Walz, who has led the department since 1999 and developed it into one of the nation’s leading centers for nephrology.

The kidneys perform vital functions in the body, such as filtering waste products, regulating water and electrolyte balance, and producing hormones. In Germany, approximately two million people are affected by kidney disease, often requiring dialysis and, in some cases, an organ transplant.

Gaining a Better Understanding of Hereditary Kidney Diseases

In addition to acquired causes such as diabetes or high blood pressure, genetic factors play a key role. Halbritter’s scientific focus is on nephrogenetics: The precise characterization of the clinical and molecular profiles of genetically determined kidney diseases such as polycystic kidney disease, glomerulopathies, and hereditary kidney stone disorders is intended to help identify disease causes early, better understand them, and find new therapeutic approaches.

“Freiburg is a nationally and internationally renowned center for renal genetics,” says Halbritter. “I want to leverage and further develop the existing excellent infrastructure so that patients can benefit from new diagnostic and therapeutic options at an early stage.” 

Halbritter (47) studied medicine in Bonn, Cologne, and Lyon. He completed his residency at Leipzig University Hospital, supplemented by research stays in the U.S. (Ann Arbor, Boston). Most recently, he headed the Center for Rare Kidney Diseases (CeRKiD) at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and held a Heisenberg Professorship in Genetic Kidney Diseases.

Caption: Prof. Dr. Jan Halbritter has been head of the Department of Medicine IV – specializing in Nephrology – at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg since April 2026.
Image source: Medical Center – University of Freiburg