Using a dye to see how kidneys work and how transporters act
Official title: Utilizing Resazurin Fluorescence to Monitor Kidney Function and Organic Anion Transporter Activity
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11581715 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, simple dye-based test could help doctors measure kidney tubular function and transporter activity more accurately in people with acute kidney problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2026 |
| Project end | January 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $748,599 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DK146470-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11581715 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for acute kidney injury or nephron loss where tubular function assessment could influence care decisions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with only glomerular disease without tubular involvement or those not undergoing diagnostic testing related to kidney tubular function may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses resazurin dye to create a non-invasive signal that reflects how well kidney tubules work and how much nephron mass is present. By tracking the dye’s journey after injection, researchers aim to get a tubular health readout that complements current GFR and proteinuria tests. The work is conducted in preclinical models and aims to translate findings toward better bedside diagnostics for AKI and related kidney conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more precise information about tubular function and disease progression, potentially guiding earlier and more targeted treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data in mouse models show the dye reflects tubular dysfunction and nephron mass loss, suggesting potential translational value.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pabla, Navjot — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Pabla, Navjot
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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.