All of our work has a translational focus. We perform basic renal science research to identify important cellular pathways involved in kidney diseases through to the study of national patient cohorts.

We have set up a National UK Registry of Renal Rare Disease, and established large cohorts of patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) and cystinuria.  These collect ongoing, granular, clinical data on patients with these conditions in the UK, as well as DNA for genetic analysis.  We are conducting genetic and biomarker studies, for example discovering the extent of genetic variation in this cohort over their whole genome, and map this to detailed disease manifestations (e.g. response to medicines), for clinical use.  This is a coordinated programme of work with involvement of national clinical and academic experts, patient groups and charities, and closely aligned with international consortia and industry partners.

In addition, the laboratory programme in glomerular disease is developing assays of disease activity and stratification based on unique podocyte-based read-outs.

We have numerous active collaborations with industry, both in glomerular cell line licensing, and in discovery and phase I/II research programmes with several different strands of research currently active in nephrotic syndromes and diabetic nephropathy

Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS)

This is a glomerular disease primarily affecting children, and is the commonest cause of acute renal failure in children. Our laboratory research on pathomechanisms of HUS in the glomerulus (e.g. complement regulation in podocytes and endothelial cells) ties us in with national initiatives to carry out clinical trials of complement inhibitors in this condition.