Understanding the APOL1 Gene in Kidney Transplants
Official title: 14/14 APOL1 Long-term Kidney Transplantation Outcomes Network (APOLLO) Scientific Data Research Center
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11145166 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how a gene called APOL1 affects kidney transplant success and the health of African American living kidney donors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2017 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,177,380 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK116041-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145166 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for African American individuals who are either kidney transplant recipients or living kidney donors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not of African ancestry or are not involved in kidney transplantation would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
We are studying how a specific gene, APOL1, found in kidney donors and recipients, impacts the success of kidney transplants, especially for African Americans. We know that kidneys from African American donors sometimes don't last as long, and we think the APOL1 gene might play a role in this difference. By understanding the APOL1 gene, we hope to improve how donor kidneys are matched with patients, leading to better long-term outcomes for transplant recipients. We also want to make sure that living kidney donation is as safe as possible for African American individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to better matching of donor kidneys, improving the long-term success of kidney transplants and ensuring the safety of living kidney donors.
How similar studies have gone: While previous retrospective reports have suggested a link, this project is a national prospective evaluation, offering a more definitive and novel approach to understanding APOL1's role.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Freedman, Barry Ira — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Freedman, Barry Ira
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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.