Deciphering cellular signalling underlying kidney fibrosis using renal organoids

Objective

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects up to 10% of the world population and is characterized by decreased renal filtration and scarring (fibrosis). However, the mechanisms underlying renal fibrosis remain largely unclear, which hampers drug development. In this research, I will elucidate mechanisms underlying renal fibrosis using state-of-the-art techniques, like live fluorescence microscopy and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), to analyze human renal organoids. I will focus on a genetic fibrotic kidney disease called nephronophthisis (NPHP), which is the most common cause for kidney transplantation in children. NPHP is a ciliopathy, caused by primary cilia dysfunction. Primary cilia are crucial antennae for cellular signalling and hence I hypothesize that defective signalling is underlying renal fibrosis development in NPHP. I will use kidney organoids with genetic mutations as in vitro models to elucidate the affected signalling pathways. First, I will characterize the effect of mutation severity on the ciliary and fibrotic phenotype using immunofluorescence. Then, I will identify the origin of collagen-producing cells using fluorescent reporter-cells and scRNAseq. I will also use the scRNAseq data to identify disturbed signalling pathways in both renal tubular and stromal cells. Lastly, I will evaluate signalling dynamics of the disturbed pathways by live imaging of biosensors in wildtype and mutant organoids. This research will produce a comprehensive overview of signalling mechanisms underlying renal fibrosis in ciliopathies, which could aid the identification of novel drug targets for NPHP, or other forms of CKD. Performing this research will allow me to expand my expertise in advanced analysis of human in vitro models. This will bring me to the forefront of the cell biology field and together with the development of transferable skills, like leadership and strategic communication, this will prepare me for a career in a leading position in the field.