Understanding how certain mice can regenerate their kidneys
Official title: Epigenetic regulation of kidney regeneration
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11143259 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how the African spiny mouse can heal its kidneys after injury, with the hope that understanding this process will help improve treatments for kidney injuries in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $154,980 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DK138302-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143259 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pediatric patients experiencing kidney injuries or chronic kidney disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fully functional kidneys or those with irreversible kidney damage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind kidney regeneration, focusing on the unique abilities of the African spiny mouse. Led by pediatric nephrologist Dr. Elizabeth Nguyen, the project aims to uncover how epigenetic factors influence kidney healing after injury. By comparing the responses of spiny mice and house mice, the research seeks to identify specific gene regulatory networks that could lead to breakthroughs in treating kidney injuries in humans. The study utilizes advanced genomic techniques to analyze the differences in kidney response between these species.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that promote kidney regeneration in children suffering from kidney injuries.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using the African spiny mouse is novel, similar studies in regenerative medicine have shown promising results in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguyen, Elizabeth Dong — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Nguyen, Elizabeth Dong
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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.