Finding genes linked to diabetes-related kidney damage
Official title: A functional genomics pipeline for genetic discovery in diabetic kidney disease
Funded at Broad Institute, INC. · NIH-11123254 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $622,668 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK132299-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123254 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
People without diabetes or those with kidney disease caused by non-diabetic conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Broad Institute, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hirschhorn, Joel N — Broad Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Hirschhorn, Joel N
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
siRNA nanoparticle treatment to stop diabetic kidney damage
A new nanoparticle-delivered gene-silencing treatment aims to lower kidney inflammation in people with diabetes to help protect their kidneys.
-
LRG1’s role in diabetic kidney disease and kidney fibrosis
A study examines how a specific protein, LRG1, influences kidney disease related to diabetes and its scarring, with the aim of finding targeted ways to slow or prevent damage.
-
Genetic discovery for diabetic kidney disease in adults
A scientist team is studying the genes that influence diabetic kidney disease in adults to better understand why some people develop it.
-
Non-canonical NF-kB and inflammation in diabetic kidney disease
A study to understand how a specific inflammatory pathway worsens kidney disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and how it might be treated.
-
Epidermal microfluidic screen to detect diabetic kidney disease
A new skin-based microfluidic test platform may help identify kidney complications in people with diabetes using real-time biomarkers from sweat and glucose data.
-
PFAS exposure and kidney disease risk in teens with type 2 diabetes
Aging and kidney health study in youths with type 2 diabetes to see how a common chemical (PFAS) affects kidney risk and how to prevent or treat it.
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.