Early kidney growth after birth and its link to childhood FSGS
Research Project 2: Molecular analysis of developing post-natal mouse kidney in health and FSGS
Researchers are looking at gene and protein changes in newborn mouse kidneys to learn how early kidney growth might lead to FSGS in children and young adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172485 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project maps how kidneys change at the molecular level during the period after birth using high-resolution lab techniques on mouse models. Scientists will generate a detailed reference of cell types and gene-regulatory activity (including ATAC-seq and single-cell approaches) during post-natal kidney maturation. They will compare healthy development to mouse models of FSGS to find altered cell states or pathways that could explain disease onset or progression. The goal is to create a resource that helps researchers connect early-life kidney changes to childhood glomerular disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients; its findings are most relevant to children and young adults with FSGS or those born with reduced nephron number.
Not a fit: People with kidney problems unrelated to early development or non-glomerular diseases may not see direct benefit from this basic-science work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biological pathways or cell types to target for earlier diagnosis, prevention, or new treatments for childhood FSGS.
How similar studies have performed: Related single-cell and genomic studies have successfully mapped fetal and adult kidneys, but a comprehensive molecular atlas focused on the post-natal period and its relation to FSGS is relatively new and less explored.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rauchman, Michael I — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Rauchman, Michael I
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.