Noninvasive management of kidney disease in children
Official title: Ultrabright Plasmonic-Fluor Nanosensor-Enabled Noninvasive Management of Pediatric Nephrotic Syndrome
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10593497 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, gentle way to check how well kidneys are working in kids with nephrotic syndrome, using tiny microneedles to take samples from the skin instead of drawing blood, making it easier and less stressful for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $235,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DK131557-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10593497 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, particularly those who are steroid-resistant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with nephrotic syndrome who are older than 11 years or those without a confirmed diagnosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new, painless method to monitor kidney function in children suffering from nephrotic syndrome, a serious kidney disease. The approach utilizes advanced microneedle technology to extract bioanalytes from the skin without the need for blood draws, making it easier and less traumatic for young patients. By analyzing the interstitial fluid, the research aims to provide accurate and timely assessments of kidney health, which is crucial for effective treatment. This innovative method could significantly improve the quality of care for pediatric patients with this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a safer and more effective way to monitor kidney function in children, reducing the need for painful blood tests.
How similar studies have gone: Similar innovative approaches in noninvasive monitoring have shown promise in other medical fields, suggesting potential success for this novel method.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Ying Maggie — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Chen, Ying Maggie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Whole genome sequencing to uncover molecular causes in nephrotic syndrome
A study to map the genetic and molecular factors behind nephrotic syndrome and related kidney diseases to help diagnose and guide future treatments for patients.
-
Sodium-related edema in nephrotic syndrome and ANGPTL4
A physician-scientist group is studying how a protein called ANGPTL4 may drive skin edema in nephrotic syndrome, with experiments in rodents and tests on human ANGPTL4 fragments.
-
Immune-driven tubulointerstitial injury in pediatric nephrotic syndrome
A physician-scientist aims to understand how immune processes cause kidney tissue damage in children with difficult-to-treat nephrotic syndrome.
-
Hodgkin lymphoma–linked nephrotic syndrome and kidney injury
This project looks at how Hodgkin lymphoma may cause nephrotic syndrome by changing a kidney gene and exposing kidney cells to lymphoma-related substances.
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Targeting calcineurin regulators for better diagnostics and treatments for nephrotic syndrome
This work looks at whether proteins that control calcineurin can be used to make better tests and more precise treatments for people with nephrotic syndrome.
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Investigating the role of a specific protein in childhood kidney disease
This study is looking at how a protein called CD93 might affect kidney health in children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome, and by examining blood and urine samples, researchers hope to find clues that could help doctors better understand and treat this condition.
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.