Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Augusta University Research Institute, Inc. (also known as Georgia Health Sciences) received a $645,382 Project Grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847), awarded on March 1, 2026, with completion targeted for December 31, 2030. The award funds basic biomedical research investigating the role of netrin-1 protein in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a genetic kidney disorder characterized by cyst development and progression to end-stage renal disease. The research will generate scientific knowledge regarding the mechanisms of netrin-1 in driving cyst formation and disease progression, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets beyond currently available treatments like tolvaptan.

The research project conducted at the Augusta, Georgia facility will advance understanding of ADPKD pathophysiology through investigation of netrin-1 signaling pathways, building on preliminary findings that demonstrate elevated netrin-1 levels in both human ADPKD kidneys and rodent disease models. The deliverables will include experimental findings, peer-reviewed publications, and mechanistic data that address critical knowledge gaps in ADPKD progression, ultimately supporting the development of more effective and safer treatment options for patients with this progressive kidney disease.