The research of the Pediatric Center of Excellence in Nephrology will seek to generate molecular and spatial maps of every cell type (postal codes) and their gene regulation in healthy and diseased pediatric kidneys. The goal being the creation of a benchmark knowledge base utilized for discovery and validation by students, teachers, researchers, engineers, biologists, clinicians and patients.

We hope our efforts will lead to designing better kidney replacement strategies and provide new insights into therapies aiming to slow decline in kidney function with age or in disease states.

The objective of the pediatric Kidney Single Cell Atlas Project (pKidCAP) is to create spatially resolved single cell molecular maps of pediatric reference and diseased kidneys at several time points across the pediatric lifespan. Discovery of regulatory factors associated with maturity and maladaptive or injury states will not only inform on therapeutic strategies but also in tissue engineering efforts. The cutting-edge technologies being applied include single nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) and chromatin accessibility (snATAC-seq), CUT&RUN, spatial transcriptomics (Visium, CosMx, Xenium) and whole genome sequencing.

Graphic providing a visual overview of the PCEN's strategy for better kidney health and clinical outcomes integrating the PCEN's research and educational outreach.
PCEN Overview: Graphic providing a visual overview of the PCEN’s strategy for better kidney health and clinical outcomes integrating the PCEN’s research and educational outreach.

Projects

Project 1

Creating detailed maps of gene activity and chromatin changes in kidney cells during key stages of child development.

Project 2

Studying a new genetic factor in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) by comparing gene activity in normal and FSGS-affected mice.

Publications