Using cell energy and gene activity to tell slow from fast ADPKD
Differentiating slow from rapidly progressive ADPKD by cell-specific mitochondrial and transcriptional profiles
This project looks for differences in how kidney cells use energy and turn genes on or off to help tell people with ADPKD who will have slower versus faster disease progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320832 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare mitochondrial function and gene-expression patterns in kidney cells using single-cell profiling, patient kidney tissue, and animal or cell models. They will look at mitochondrial calcium handling, mitochondrial DNA copy number, and whether cells favor glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation. The team will also examine alternative RNA splicing and other cell-specific signatures that link to disease speed. Promising markers will be prioritized as candidates for tests or treatments that could be followed up in future patient-focused studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with genetically confirmed ADPKD (PKD1 or PKD2) or patients who can provide kidney tissue samples or clinical data to the research team.
Not a fit: People without ADPKD or those already at end-stage kidney disease on long-term dialysis are unlikely to receive direct benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help predict who with ADPKD will progress quickly and point to new targets for therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have observed mitochondrial problems and altered gene expression in ADPKD tissues, but converting those findings into reliable predictors or treatments remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lasseigne, Brittany Nicole — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Lasseigne, Brittany Nicole
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.