Understanding how kidneys develop and function to improve treatments for kidney defects
Official title: Establishing and Mimicking Patterning Mechanisms in the Distal Nephron Tubule and Kidney Organoid
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10893591 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how kidney cells develop in babies before they are born, which can help us understand kidney problems that some kids are born with, and it hopes to find new ways to help those kids by using special lab-grown kidney cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $599,201 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136802-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893591 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, particularly those diagnosed with CAKUT.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acquired kidney diseases or those without congenital kidney defects may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the development of nephrons in the kidneys, focusing on how specialized cells are formed during embryonic and fetal stages. By using advanced techniques like single cell omics, the researchers aim to map the origins and differentiation of kidney cells, which is crucial for understanding congenital kidney defects. The study also seeks to replicate these processes in human stem cell-derived kidney organoids, providing insights into potential therapies for patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). This work could lead to new interventions for restoring or replacing kidney function in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative therapies that improve kidney function and outcomes for patients with congenital kidney defects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using stem cell-derived organoids to model kidney development, indicating a potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lindstrom, Nils Olof — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Lindstrom, Nils Olof
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
RNA dysregulation in a rare childhood brain disorder (PCH1b)
Researchers are studying a rare genetic brain disease in young children to understand how RNA processing goes wrong and leads to damage in the cerebellum and brainstem.
-
Studying how diverse signals come from similar molecules at glutamatergic synapses
A project at a university explores how synapses in the brain create different signals from a shared set of molecules, using a fruit-fly model to understand how this could relate to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
-
How brain chemicals may influence tau clumps in Alzheimer’s disease
A study from USC explores how certain brain chemicals might influence the clumping of tau protein related to Alzheimer’s disease, aiming to identify factors that could affect disease progression.
-
GLP-1 medicines and brain health: real-world clues about dementia risk
A nationwide study will follow adults 21 and older using GLP-1 medicines to see how these drugs relate to memory, thinking, and dementia risk in real life.
-
Male pesticide exposure and reproductive health through epigenetics
This project looks at how a man’s exposure to pesticides might affect his fertility and the health of his future children through changes in DNA.
-
Global effort to harmonize fMRI findings in psychiatry
A large, international effort will standardize how brain MRI data are collected and analyzed in people with various mental health conditions to improve consistency and discovery.
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.