Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) awarded $176,028 under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) to the Regents of the University of Minnesota, effective March 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030. This project grant supports the career transition and research training of Dr. Alex Dayton, MD, PhD, as he develops an independent career as a physician-scientist specializing in kidney disease research.

The research investigates prophylactic renal denervation (RDN)—the surgical removal of renal nerves—as a preventive intervention against tacrolimus (TAC) nephrotoxicity in solid organ transplant recipients. Tacrolimus is the most widely used immunosuppressive medication following transplantation; however, its use results in chronic kidney disease (CKD) in over 50% of non-renal transplant patients, causing significant morbidity including shortened lifespans, increased hospitalization, and progression to dialysis or kidney transplantation. The project includes two specific aims evaluating the mechanisms underlying RDN's protective effects through whole-animal models and detailed renal physiological investigations, building on preliminary rat model data demonstrating that prophylactic RDN increases glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and decreases kidney fibrosis relative to controls.