Tools to understand genetic and epigenetic drivers of kidney disease
RIGERR: Resources for Investigating Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation of Renal Disease
This project works to find the DNA changes and gene activity patterns that contribute to chronic kidney disease so future care can be more personalized.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143278 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are combining very large genetic datasets and laboratory experiments to pinpoint which DNA changes affect genes tied to chronic kidney disease. They pair genome-wide findings from up to a million people with tissue-specific tests in kidney cells and patient samples to narrow thousands of candidate variants to those that alter gene function. The team uses new methods to handle long stretches of linked DNA and studies epigenetic marks that control gene activity, and plans to build shared resources for clinicians and scientists. The work focuses on outcomes like reduced kidney function and albumin in the urine to link genetic changes to measures that matter to patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic kidney disease—especially those with albuminuria or willing to provide blood, urine, or kidney tissue samples—would be ideal candidates to contribute to or benefit from this work.
Not a fit: People without chronic kidney disease or those seeking immediate treatment changes are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify personalized risk markers and new drug targets to improve prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease.
How similar studies have performed: Large genetic studies have already found many kidney-related regions and some work has linked variants to gene expression, but comprehensive, tissue-specific functional follow-up like this remains relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liang, Mingyu — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Liang, Mingyu
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.