Finding genes linked to diabetes-related kidney damage
A functional genomics pipeline for genetic discovery in diabetic kidney disease
This project searches for gene changes that raise or lower the chance of kidney damage in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Broad Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123254 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are combining DNA and health data from tens of thousands of people with diabetes around the world to find genetic differences tied to diabetic kidney disease. They will expand previous collections to include about 150,000 samples from people with type 2 diabetes and compare those with and without kidney problems, then run genome-wide scans to find risk and protective variants. Lab follow-up will study how top genes, such as a protective change in COL4A3, affect kidney structure and function. The team aims to turn genetic discoveries into new markers or drug targets that could help prevent or treat kidney damage from diabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, whether or not they already have signs of kidney disease, are the main groups whose samples are included and who could be part of related research.
Not a fit: People without diabetes or those with kidney disease caused by non-diabetic conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to tests that predict who is at higher risk and to new drug targets to prevent or slow diabetic kidney disease.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier genome-wide studies by this consortium found 16 genetic signals, including a protective COL4A3 variant, so this project builds on promising prior findings.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Broad Institute, INC. — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hirschhorn, Joel N — Broad Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Hirschhorn, Joel N
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.