The goal of TrainCKDis is to provide high-level training in chronic kidney disease (CKD) - a global public health burden - to a new generation of highly achieving early stage researchers. TrainCKDis will develop scientific skills necessary for thriving careers in an expanding area that underpins innovative technological development across a range of diverse disciplines including nephrology, epidemiology, genetics, cell biology, and drug discovery at the interface of basic molecular, genetic and clinical research. We will achieve this by a unique combination of “hands-on” research training, non-academic placements, courses and workshops on scientific and transferable skills, facilitated by the consortium academic/non-academic composition.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is defined as abnormalities of kidney structure or function, lasting longer than three months. CKD is an increasing global health problem; its prevalence and associated burden are rising worldwide1. CKD affects 10-15% of the population, with unexplained regional variation across Europe. About 70 million Europeans have suboptimal kidney function and are at increased risk of kidney failure, a fatal condition without renal replacement therapies (RRT) such as dialysis or transplantation.
The key research challenges are:
1) Identify genetic and epigenetic modifiers that predispose patients to CKD progression;
2) Uncover signalling pathways and innovative biomarkers essential for monitoring disease evolution and clinical trials outcomes;
3) Discover novel therapeutic targets to expand the limited CKD treatments.
