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Advancing Tick-Borne Disease Research: Insights & Progress Event 30 April

Support renal research within the Kolling Institute

You can help us reduce the global prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and improve patient outcomes.
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Project Overview

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not only a significant health issue in Australia, but also a global concern, affecting millions of people worldwide and placing immense pressure on healthcare systems across the globe. In Australia, the growing prevalence of CKD is driven by factors like diabetes and hypertension, and the impact on individuals and the healthcare system is becoming more pronounced. Research into CKD is crucial for improving early detection, understanding risk factors, and developing more effective treatments. The Kolling Institute has made CKD a Priority Research Area (PRA), reflecting its commitment to advancing both local and global solutions for this urgent health challenge.

With CKD often progressing silently until it reaches advanced stages, research is key to preventing kidney failure, which requires expensive treatments like dialysis or transplants. As CKD rates continue to rise globally, funding research is critical not only for improving patient outcomes in Australia, but also for addressing the worldwide burden of the disease. By donating to CKD research at the Kolling Institute, you are supporting pioneering work that has the potential to improve lives both nationally and globally. Your contribution will help accelerate research efforts, enhance treatment options, and ultimately reduce the impact of CKD for people around the world.

Chronic kidney disease research

Research highlights

Shark Antibody-Based Treatment

A new antibody-based treatment using nano (shark) antibodies to block CXCR4, which can cause kidney inflammation and chronic kidney disease (CKD), has shown promising results in preventing the development of kidney disease.

Targeted Gene Therapy

New research using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to delete genes implicated in kidney disease is advancing, with two gene therapy targets currently in development.

3-D Kidney Organoid from Bench to Bedside

Kidney organoids have emerged as advanced in vitro models for studying kidney development, physiology, and disease, offering a more accurate alternative to traditional cell cultures and animal models in chronic kidney disease research.

Advancing chronic kidney disease research in Australia

The global prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to increase with over 843 million people affected today.

In Australia, CKD affects 1.7 million people in our community – but a staggering 1.8 million are not even aware they have it.

in 3

Australian adult is a risk of developing chronic kidney disease

%

of all deaths in Australia are caused by chronic kidney disease

people

are dying with kidney-related disease every day in Australia

The Kolling Institute renal research team’s overarching goal is to improve the lives of patients with CKD, by:

  • Generating new knowledge about the cause of progressive kidney disease
  • Developing new diagnostic tests to predict those who will develop kidney failure
  • Discovering new medicines to prevent and treat kidney disease
  • Applying our discoveries to human clinical trials
  • Bringing new tests and therapies to market with industry colleagues
Chronic kidney disease research
Support CKD research

Why your support matters

Your donations will provide crucial funding necessary for furthering our research efforts and translating it into clinical practice to improve outcomes for patients.

Donate to CKD research

Research areas of strength

Renal research team: Collaborating globally to advance clinical practice in kidney disease
Our renal research team collaborates internationally, with pharmaceutical companies and smaller Australian biotech companies to transfer their research into clinical practice. Currently they are involved in a number clinical trials investigating chronic kidney disease, dialysis and transplantation including:

  • Targeting inflammatory pathways known to be upregulated in kidney disease

  • Limiting kidney scarring in models of transplantation to ensure longevity of transplant kidney function

  • Non-invasive determination of patients at risk of progressive diabetic/non-diabetic kidney disease

  • Prevention of chronic kidney disease though limiting transmission of maternal to foetal risk of chronic kidney disease

  • Fibre supplements to improve glycaemic control and reduce chronic kidney disease

  • Normalising the function of the mitochondria in progressive chronic kidney disease

  • Development of therapeutics against promising targets in chronic kidney disease

  • Diabetic kidney disease-early detection and potential treatment

The Royal North Shore Hospital renal clinical trial unit: A legacy of clinical research excellence in kidney disease
The Royal North Shore Hospital Renal Clinical Trial Unit has a strong research history, participating in Phase 2 to Phase 4 clinical research for more than 20 years.

The Renal Clinical Trial Unit is led by a clinician supported by two full time trial coordinators and a part time research associate.

At any given time, our team coordinates 15 to 25 investigator-initiated or industry sponsored clinical trials, while also working in a busy clinical environment caring for patients with kidney diseases.

Some examples of clinical trials currently taking place:

  • TRACK: Treatment of cardiovascular disease with low dose rivaroxaban in advanced CKD

  • CARSK: Screening for asymptomatic coronary artery disease in kidney transplant candidates populations

  • REDUCCTION: Reducing the burden of dialysis catheter complications in patients with kidney disease

  • CLARITY: Controlled evaluation of angiotensin receptor blockers for COVID-19 respiratory disease

Meet the Renal Research team

Professor Carol Pollock
Professor Carol Pollock
Renal Research Lead
Associate Professor Xin-Ming Chen
Associate Professor Xin-Ming Chen
Associate Professor Sarah Glastras
Associate Professor Sarah Glastras
Associate Professor Saad
Associate Professor Sonia Saad
Peter Bian
Peter (Ji) Bian
Umut Rende
Umut Rende
Dr Natassia M Antoinette Rodrigo
Dr Natassia M Antoinette Rodrigo
Dr Eveline Staub
Dr Eveline Staub
Dr Long The Nguyen
Dr Long The Nguyen

Frequently Asked Questions

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