Graph-based spatial transcriptomics AI methods to understand kidney diseases
Official title: SCH: Graph-based Spatial Transcriptomics Computational Methods in Kidney Diseases
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11365041 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to create AI-powered tools to map where kidney cells are and how they communicate, helping people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury (AKI).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $282,901 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK138504-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365041 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with or at risk for CKD or AKI, particularly those whose kidney tissue samples or biopsy-derived data could inform spatial analyses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to kidney tissue samples or data linked to CKD/AKI may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced spatial transcriptomics data to map diverse kidney cell types and their molecular signals in CKD and AKI. A deep learning framework will be developed to handle sparse, mosaic cell patterns and identify how cell neighborhoods contribute to disease progression and fibrosis. The work targets understanding how AKI can lead to CKD and how cellular environments in the kidney influence repair and immune interactions. The approach focuses on translating complex tissue data into insights that could guide future treatments and prevention strategies for kidney diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to better biomarkers and therapeutic targets to prevent AKI from progressing to CKD and to tailor interventions based on cellular landscapes in individual patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior spatial transcriptomics studies have shown promising insights in other organs; this project applies similar AI approaches to kidney tissue, representing a novel but plausible path forward.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Juexin — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Wang, Juexin
Related research
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This project looks at a protein called Ubiquitin D to find new ways to help people with liver conditions like NASH and HCC, and also chronic kidney disease.
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Understanding CKDu in agricultural communities
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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.