Project Grant R01DK148060

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases awarded the University of Pittsburgh $556,648 on September 1, 2026, under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) to investigate the role of FAN1 protein in preventing chronic kidney disease progression following acute kidney injury.

The research targets DNA damage response and mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney tubular epithelial cells. The project will test whether enhancing FAN1 expression or mitochondrial function prevents chronic kidney disease progression after acute kidney injury, building on preliminary findings showing that FAN1 regulates both genomic stability and mitochondrial quality control in kidney tissue. The research includes defining the relationship between FAN1, DNA repair, and mitochondrial maintenance during kidney injury and recovery, and examining therapeutic approaches such as mitochondrial-targeted reactive oxygen species scavengers to preserve kidney function.

Work will be performed at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The award period runs through May 31, 2030. The assistance type is a Project Grant, supporting extramural basic and clinical biomedical research that advances understanding of mechanisms underlying kidney disease and improves prevention, diagnosis, and treatment approaches.