The Michigan O'Brien Kidney Research Center: transforming translational kidney research through systems biology

Abstract

Research on kidney diseases is being transformed by the rapid expansion and innovations in omics technologies. The analysis, integration, and interpretation of big data, however, have been an impediment to the growing interest in applying these technologies to understand kidney function and failure. Targeting this urgent need, the University of Michigan O'Brien Kidney Translational Core Center (MKTC) and its Administrative Core established the Applied Systems Biology Core. The Core provides need-based support for the global kidney community centered on enabling incorporation of systems biology approaches by creating web-based, user-friendly analytic and visualization tools, like Nephroseq and Nephrocell, guiding with experimental design, and processing, analysis, and integration of large data sets. The enrichment core supports systems biology education and dissemination through workshops, seminars, and individualized training sessions. Meanwhile, the Pilot and Feasibility Program of the MKTC provides pilot funding to both early-career and established investigators new to the field, to integrate a systems biology approach into their research projects. The relevance and value of the portfolio of training and services offered by MKTC are reflected in the expanding community of young investigators, collaborators, and users accessing resources and engaging in systems biology-based kidney research, thereby motivating MKTC to persevere in its mission to serve the kidney research community by enabling access to state-of-the-art data sets, tools, technologies, expertise, and learning opportunities for transformative basic, translational, and clinical studies that will usher in solutions to improve the lives of people impacted by kidney disease.

Keywords: acute kidney injury; chronic kidney disease; diabetic kidney disease; metabolomics; systems biology.

Graphical abstract

Figure 1.

The integrated cores within the Michigan Kidney Translational University of Michigan O’Brien Kidney Translational Core Center (MKTC). The major cores of the MKTC include the Administrative Core (which directs the overall center and administers the Pilot and Feasibility Program), the Applied Systems Biology Core, and the Enrichment Core.

Figure 2.

The Applied Systems Biology Core (ASBC). The ASBC services bridge data, analytic, and technology gaps needed to advance kidney translational medicine and to serve the nephrology research community. QC, quality control.

Figure 3.

The Nephroseq platform. Shown is the geographical distribution of registered Nephroseq users, illustrating the global relevance of this resource to the nephrology and scientific communities. Colors reflect numbers of users by country.