Polycystic Kidney Disease Group

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic cause of adult-onset kidney failure. It is due to gene mutations (either PKD1, PKD2) which reduce kidney levels of a protein, called polycystin-1. This leads to multiple hypertension, chronic kidney disease and kidney failure (due to cystic kidney disease), chronic pain  and in some people, severe polycystic liver disease. Our program (2024-29) aims to develop new proteomic biomarkers and genomic interventions to increase polycystin-1 for human clinical trials and novel medical devices to manage kidney failure.

Recent Achievements

  • Publication of BEET-PKD randomised controlled trial on 24th July 2024 in Kidney Int Rep (Q1 journal). The paper was selected for oral presentation at the European Renal Association scientific meeting (May 24) and at PKD Australia consumer webinar (July 24).
  • Award of PhD (University of Sydney) to Dr. Priyanka Sagar (currently Staff Specialist at Nepean Hospital) in March 24 (entitled, “Potential Therapeutic Interventions for Cardiovascular Disease in ADPKD”)
  • Lead author and presenter for Chapter 4 (2020-25) (“Therapies to delay kidney disease progression”) in Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes 2025 Clinical Practice guidelines for the evaluation, management, and treatment for ADPKD (in press, Kidney Int 2025). Presented at the American Society Annual Scientific Meeting (Oct 23).

Recent publications

Prescribed Water Intake in ADPKD. N Engl J Med Evid 2022: 1:1;

November 2021

Up-Regulation of DNA Damage Response Signaling in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease. Am J Pathol. 2021 May;191(5):902-920

May 2021

Double-Blind Randomised Controlled Trial of Nitrate-Replete Beetroot Juice on Blood Pressure Lowering in Hypertensive Adults with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int Reports 9: 3045

October 2024

Culture of Three-Dimensional Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) Cysts for In Vitro Drug Testing in Polycystic Kidney Disease

July 2023

Participant Perceptions in a Long-term Clinical Trial of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease. Kidney Med 2023, 5: 100691

September 2023

NAME ROLE
Dr. Sneha Amin Part-time Research Affiliate (Advanced Trainee in Nephrology)
Dr. Sumedh Jayanti Part-time Research Affiliate (Advanced Trainee in Nephrology)
Dr. Lavra Nanayakkara Part-time Research Affiliate (Med Student, Uni of New England)

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