Renal Sciences

Renal research focuses on the discovery of new treatments for progressive renal disease and includes a HIV sub-group that has a long standing interest in the effects of HIV, immunodeficiency and antiretroviral therapies on glomerular and tubular function.

Our emphasis is on discovering new targets for therapy using techniques such as gene silencing by either RNA interference or antisense oligonucleotides. We have identified many cell signalling molecules involved in the pathogenesis of progressive renal disease including isoforms of Ras and Rho monomeric GTPases, T-type calcium channels and retinoic acid. All of these are currently under study in our group.

In addition we have an active and expanding interest in the anti-fibrotic effects of Chinese herbal medicines and are using novel techniques and in vitro models to screen traditionally prescribed herbs.

The HIV/Renal subgroup’s recent studies have helped define the clinical epidemiology of HIV-associated nephropathy, acute and chronic renal failure, and end-stage kidney disease in the UK. Several longitudinal observational cohort and renal biomarker studies are in progress, while a review of HIV-infected renal transplant recipients, studies of the genetic predisposition to drug-induced Fanconi syndrome and antiretroviral pharmacokinetics in patients with advanced renal failure, and a prospective study of renal and bone biomarkers are planned. As part of the clinical service, we operate a virtual HIV/renal clinic where HIV positive renal transplant recipients and those with severe renal disease are regularly reviewed, actively managed, and worked up for renal transplantation.