Understanding Type IV Collagens in Kidney Disease
Development of novel genetic tools for the study of type IV collagens
This project aims to create new tools to better understand how certain collagen proteins work in the body and how their changes lead to inherited kidney diseases like Alport syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171687 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies rely on special proteins called type IV collagens, especially in the kidney's filtering units. When these collagens have mutations, they can cause inherited kidney diseases such as Alport syndrome. Currently, it's very difficult to study these collagens because they are stable and hard to isolate. This project will develop new mouse models where these collagens are marked with fluorescent proteins, allowing scientists to see exactly where and when they are deposited and how they change. These advanced tools will help us learn more about how these collagens function in both healthy and diseased kidneys.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to patients with Alport syndrome and other inherited kidney diseases caused by type IV collagen mutations.
Not a fit: Patients without inherited kidney diseases related to type IV collagen mutations would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide fundamental insights into the causes of Alport syndrome and other inherited kidney diseases, paving the way for new diagnostic methods or treatments.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of type IV collagens in Alport syndrome is well-established, the specific genetic tools being developed in this project are novel and designed to overcome existing research barriers.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gould, Douglas — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Gould, Douglas
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.