Research

The Renal Association does not fund research directly, but the encouragement and promotion of research into renal diseases and their prevention and treatment have been major aims since the creation of the Association. Kidney Research UK (formerly the National Kidney Research Fund) was set up by members of the Renal Association and continues to be the major independent funding body for renal research in the UK, with two project grant funding rounds and one fellowship funding round each year. More about Kidney Research UK.

Through the Trials committee, the Renal Association encourages and facilitates clinical trials in the field of nephrology.

Various other research initiatives under the broad auspices of the Renal Association are listed below.

Research Committee membership

Chair: Prof Bruce Hendry
Dr Mark Dockrell
Dr Lars Erwig
Dr Jeremy Hughes
Dr Tim Johnson
Dr Jonathon Kwan
Dr Matthew Morgan
Dr Moin Saleem
Dr Alice Smith
Prof Robert Unwin
Prof Magdi Yaqoob
 Contact: Professor Bruce Hendry, King's College, GKT School of Medicine, London SE5 9PJ Tel 0207 848 0439; email bruce.hendry@kcl.ac.uk
 

 

Research initiatives in which the Renal Association is involved

CLINICAL TRIALS

See Clinical Trials Committee.

Genetic susceptibility to renal disease 

An oversight committee for the Renal DNA collections is chaired by Professor Tim Goodship.
A National DNA Repository to study genetic susceptibility to glomerulonephritis has been funded by the MRC and by Kidney Research UK. This collection is now available to researchers - see also further information on the DNA Network website  

The UK Vesicoureteric Reflux (VUR) DNA collection has been funded by the Wellcome Trust, facilitated by Kidney Research UK. It shares governance arrangements as above

Peritoneal dialysis
Jointly with Kidney Research UK and the British Renal Society, a Baxter Healthcare-funded study on peritoneal dialysis in the elderly (2006). More info.

Haemodialysis and exercise
Dr Patrick Naish is coordinating an interest group in this area. Further information will be posted here. Contact him at patrick.naish@hotmail.com

Transplantation - STEPP

This project to investigate long term outcomes (beyond graft failure and death) after renal transplantation has been coordinated by Kidney Research UK in collaboration with the Renal Association and the BTS (2005). Five transplant centres (Guy's, Leeds, Leicester, Oxford, St Helier) will collect data on kidney function, health problems and medication of transplant patients, as well as patients' own reports on their health, quality of life and the impact on their lives of transplant failure. Funding is from a consortium of the pharmaceutical companies Astellas, Roche and Wyeth. More information and updates are available from the project website at www.stepp.org.uk.

Quality Improvements in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Significant Challenge for Primary Care

Kidney Research UK, in collaboration with University Hospital Leicester and St George’s-University of London, have developed a unique, £1.2 million partnership with support from the Health Foundation and Edith Murphy Foundation. The development group for this proposal included members of several bodies including the Renal Association, and the RA is represented on the steering group by Dr Kevin Harris. Two complementary, three-year community research studies, commencing in Summer 2007, have been developed to test and implement a range of quality improvements (QIs) for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with one project specifically focussing on those patients also having diabetes. The overall objective is to identify a quality improvement (QI) programme delivering the evidence base for better primary care-led interventions, enhance the quality of care and drive forward new advances in the treatment of CKD within the community. More information and updates from KRUK

The UK EPS Registry and DNA Bank

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis is a terrible complication of peritoneal dialysis. The fact that it is relatively uncommon makes it difficult to study. It is hoped that this national regsitry will coordinate our efforts to better understand this disease. For more information, or to get involved, contact Louese Dunn in Manchester. More information.

Research Training for clinicians

The Research Committee has prepared a statement on research training for clinicians.

Documents and minutes of the Research Committee

Downloads

  1. Research Committee report August 2009
    .pdf file (33.63 KB)
    Download
  2. UK Kidney Research Consortium proposal
    .pdf file (219.65 KB)
    Download