Kidney Disease Research Program
Leadership
About the Kidney Disease Research Program
Congenital and acquired kidney diseases are a major source of morbidity and mortality in children. However, the basic molecular and cellular mechanisms of the majority of pediatric disorders are still poorly understood. Since renal disease also is a progressive childhood disease, it is often a harbinger of cardiovascular disease in adults.
Research highlights
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $4.6 million over the next five years to establish a Research Center of Excellence in Pediatric Nephrology
at Children's Research Institute. As one of only two such centers in the country, it will build on current groundbreaking research programs at The Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Research Institute, expediting new and exciting treatments for thousands of children with genetic, acquired or progressive kidney disease.The basic molecular and cellular mechanisms of the majority of pediatric disorders are still poorly understood. Since renal disease also is a progressive childhood disease, it is often a harbinger of cardiovascular disease in adults. The grant will focus on three major areas: polycystic kidney disease, which is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys; hypertension and diabetes-induced disease; and damange that occurs when the kidney lacks oxygen.