Children's Kidney Cell Atlas

Pediatric Kidney Single Cell Atlas Project

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-11172456

This project will build a detailed, cell-by-cell map of children's kidneys to help doctors spot and prevent kidney problems early.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11172456 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The team will collect pediatric kidney tissue samples and use single-cell and molecular lab techniques to identify all the cell types and how they change as kidneys develop or after injury. Findings will be combined into an open, searchable atlas that researchers and clinicians can use to find disease signals, biomarkers, and possible treatment targets. The center focuses on causes of kidney failure in children such as congenital anomalies, neonatal and pediatric acute kidney injury, and damage from infections or medicines. Families may be asked to donate biopsy or surgical tissue and to share clinical information so researchers can link molecular patterns to health outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are infants and children with congenital kidney abnormalities, acute kidney injury, or other pediatric kidney conditions, and families willing to donate tissue samples and share clinical information.

Not a fit: People without childhood kidney conditions, adults with unrelated kidney disease, or anyone unable or unwilling to provide tissue or medical information are unlikely to gain direct benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the atlas could enable earlier detection, better prevention, and new treatments for childhood kidney disease.

How similar studies have performed: Single-cell atlases in adult kidneys and other organs have delivered important biological insights, but a comprehensive pediatric kidney atlas is largely new and remains untested.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.