Grant Award

Dr. Kenton Arkill and his team are starting an important study with the help of a £170,000 grant from Kidney Research UK. They will look into how pregnancy affects kidney health in people with Alport syndrome, with the aim of improving future treatments.

Normally, the amount of protein in urine doubles during pregnancy due to increased blood flow and hormonal changes that affect how kidneys filter waste. However, for those with Alport syndrome, this protein loss can increase dramatically—up to ten times the usual amount. This can worsen existing kidney problems and lead to serious complications during and after pregnancy.

To understand why this happens, Dr. Arkill’s team will use a new imaging technique called 3D OrbiSIMS. This method allows them to study glycosaminoglycans, which are important molecules in kidney filtration but hard to analyze with standard methods. Lorna Milne, a PhD student, has joined the team to focus on this research. Her interest in kidney health comes from her family’s experience with kidney donation.

"I decided to work in kidney research after my Auntie donated a kidney to my Mum," Lorna explained. "The imaging technique we're developing will help us see how glycosaminoglycans change in the kidneys during pregnancy and in Alport syndrome. We hope this will improve our understanding of kidney function and lead to better diagnosis and treatment."

This project will begin in October 2024, right after Lorna finishes her PhD. The team expects to share early results by early 2025, which could provide valuable insights into kidney health for those affected by Alport syndrome during pregnancy.