Kidney tubule function and APOL1 in African ancestry people
Official title: Kidney tubule dysfunction in APOL1
Funded at Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego · NIH-11364368 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how kidney tubule health markers relate to kidney disease risk in African ancestry individuals with APOL1 variants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $383,098 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK144506-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364368 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults of African ancestry with APOL1 risk variants and CKD or at risk for CKD.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without African ancestry or without APOL1 risk variants may not see direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on kidney tubule biomarkers beyond creatinine and albumin to better predict who will develop CKD or AKI. It will examine how APOL1-related kidney disease interacts with tubular functions and how combined biomarkers can improve risk stratification. The research will use human data and samples from participants to explore progression pathways and identify potential targets for early intervention. Results could lead to better monitoring and personalized care for patients at higher risk due to APOL1 and ancestry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients at risk could be monitored more accurately and receive earlier, targeted interventions to slow CKD progression.
How similar studies have gone: prior work has linked tubular biomarkers to CKD progression, but this study aims to advance understanding in APOL1-related disease.
Where this research is happening
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Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bullen, Alexander Lionel — Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego
- Study coordinator: Bullen, Alexander Lionel
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.