Investigating how environmental metals affect kidney health in diverse populations
Official title: Environmental Metal Toxicity and Kidney Tubule Measures in Diverse Populations
Funded at Northern California Institute/res/edu · NIH-11039935 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how exposure to metals like arsenic and lead in the environment affects kidney health, especially for people who are more at risk, and it aims to create a simple test to help spot any kidney damage early on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northern California Institute/res/edu NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $680,372 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK138542-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11039935 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living in areas with known environmental metal contamination, particularly those from minoritized and lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in areas affected by environmental metal exposure or who do not have kidney health concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the impact of environmental metal exposure, such as arsenic and lead, on kidney health, particularly in vulnerable populations. It aims to identify sensitive markers of kidney tubule damage caused by these metals, which have been linked to serious health issues. By utilizing advanced methods to assess metal levels in both water supplies and biological samples, the study seeks to develop a kidney monitoring panel that can non-invasively detect and quantify kidney damage. This could lead to better monitoring and prevention strategies for those at risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved detection and management of kidney damage caused by environmental metal exposure, ultimately enhancing patient care and health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in identifying health impacts from environmental metal exposure, but this specific approach to kidney monitoring is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Northern California Institute/res/edu
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shlipak, Michael G — Northern California Institute/res/edu
- Study coordinator: Shlipak, Michael G
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.