Update projects with awardees of 2023 RBK Opportunity Pool

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Awardees of the 2023 RBK Opportunity Pool have bee notified.

Update teh RBK Projects page on both atlas-d2k-www and rbk-www (since that is still live for a couple more weeks) with the new projects.

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Elizabeth Nguyen (Seattle Children's)

Title: Single-nuclei multiome atlas for a mammalian model of kidney regeneration

Description: seeks to investigate mechanisms for kidney tissue regeneration by understanding how gene expression is modified through epigenetic changes in the spiny mouse, a model animal that can regenerate kidney tissue. In completing this proposed research, the milestone to be achieved is a robust dataset that associates regions of open chromatin based on single nuclei ATAC-sequencing with gene expression levels based on single nuclei RNA-sequencing data for individual cell types in a regenerating spiny mouse kidney after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

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Nils Lindstrom (USC)

Title: Stepwise developmental mimicry generates proximal tubules in organoids

Description: We will study the development of proximal tubule cells in kidney organoids and compare these against those found in the human kidney. We will address the question of how to “rebuild a kidney” by completing the following milestones: (1) Delineate genes and regions of DNA that are abnormally regulated in organoids during proximal tubule development and that serve as targets for optimization. (2) Benchmark a new protocol generating HNF4A+ proximal tubule precursors against the framework of in vivo development. (3) Identify common genetic changes in proximal-biased organoids.

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Kyle McCracken (Cincinnatti Children's)

Title: Integrating UB collecting systems into hPSC-derived kidney organoids

Description: The objective of this proposal is to further develop our novel system of incorporating hPSC-derived UB tissue into kidney organoids to enable fusion of distal nephron epithelium to collecting duct-like tubules. We will define robust protocols and materials for generating these organoids, and we will perform thorough molecular characterization of the developmental processes involved in the anastomosis. Finally, we will determine how fusion to a collecting system impacts the maturation outcomes in kidney organoids in vitro and in vivo.

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There is another new project to add as well:

Zhongwei Li (Univ of Southern California)

Title: The Synthetic Kidney: A Revolutionary Solution for the Shortage of Kidneys for Transplantation

Description: 1 in 7 Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease, leading some to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). 2 in 1000 U.S. adults get ESRD, necessitating dialysis or a kidney transplant. Annually, over $49 billion is spent on ESRD treatment, affecting patients' longevity and life quality. Kidney transplants offer the best survival chance, but donor kidneys are scarce. To address this, this project is introducing a synthetic kidney, engineered using progenitor populations mimicking the embryonic kidney. Once transplanted, this synthetic kidney matures naturally. The decade-long technological advances developed by this lab have enabled the production of essential kidney components, positioning them to address the kidney shortage through this innovative solution.

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Completed