How gene and metabolic changes in the kidney relate to chronic kidney disease
Epigenetics of Chronic Kidney Disease
This project looks at chemical and protein changes in kidney tissue to find markers that could spot people with chronic kidney disease who are more likely to get worse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306466 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will measure hundreds of metabolites and proteins directly in human kidney tissue and compare those results with gene-expression patterns and mouse models. They will combine metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics data and use genetic information to help distinguish likely causal changes from secondary effects. The work focuses especially on pathways such as lipid and fatty-acid metabolism that appear linked to scarring and loss of kidney function. Findings come from analyses of human kidney samples and parallel experiments in mice to strengthen biological interpretation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be adults with chronic kidney disease (including diabetic kidney disease) who can provide clinical data and, when applicable, kidney tissue samples or participate in observational follow-up.
Not a fit: People without kidney disease or those already on dialysis or with a kidney transplant are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this biomarker-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors detect people at high risk of kidney decline earlier so they can receive targeted treatments to slow progression.
How similar studies have performed: Prior gene-expression and animal studies have found metabolic and lipid-related changes in diseased kidneys, but combining metabolites, proteins, and human genetics to pinpoint causal biomarkers is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Susztak, Katalin — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Susztak, Katalin
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.