Falk receives funding to extend kidney disease project

This award allows a multidisciplinary team led by Ronald Falk, MD, to continue its research of glomerulonephritis and vasculitis caused by anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), which is the most common form of rapidly progressing glomerular disease. The latest competitive renewal will carry the study to its 20th year.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has awarded Falk, Chair, Department of Medicine, Allan Brewster Distinguished Professor, Director, UNC Kidney Center, an additional five years of funding for the Program Project, “ANCA Glomerulonephritis: From Molecules to Man”, in which Falk serves as the principal investigator. The funding will provide for years 16-20 of the team’s ongoing research.

The latest award of more than $1.6 million per year brings total funding for the project to more than $18 million.

The grant is comprised of four projects, a clinical core and an administrative core. Project leaders include, J. Charles Jennette, MD, Kenneth M. Brinkhous Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dominic Ciavatta, PhD, of the Department of Genetics, Donna Bunch, PhD, Assistant Professor of Research, UNC Kidney Center, Patrick Nachman, MD, Professor of Medicine, UNC Kidney Center and Susan Hogan, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor of Research, UNC Kidney Center.

The research team is studying glomerulonephritis and vasculitis caused by anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), the most common form of rapidly progressing kidney disease. The ultimate objective of this research is improving the lives of patients with ANCA disease by elucidating the underlying immunologic and pathogenic mechanisms, and translating this knowledge into improved patient care.

Dr. Ronald Falk is also Co-director of the Transformative Technologies initiative at the NC TraCS Institute.

Article originally posted at UNC Health Care Newsroom.