# Pre-Clinical Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2024 · $252,298

## Abstract

Project Summary
Small animal models of human disease have provided important insights into renal pathophysiological processes
and are an important preclinical resource to test therapeutic and preventive approaches in acute kidney injury
(AKI). The specific aims of the Pre-Clinical Core (Core B) are to:
Aim 1. Provide the facilities and skills (Animal Models Resource) to study murine models of AKI.
Aim 2. Provide unique facilities and requisite skills (Renal Physiology Resource) to determine renal
 physiological changes in AKI.
This Core will specifically share specialized knowledge, tools, technologies and expertise to (i) utilize rodent
models of AKI specifically in the setting of ischemia/reperfusion injury, sepsis and kidney transplantation, and (ii)
provide expertise and training for studying renal function on the whole kidney and at the single nephron level,
including micropuncture techniques and determination of GFR, microanalysis of tubular fluid and tubular
reabsorption, renal hemodynamics with assessment of tubuloglomerular feedback, and metabolic assessment
of kidney oxygen consumption in rodents. Core B will also provide technical expertise for the isolation of primary
tubular and vascular cells from rodents. The mission of Core B is to provide these unique and relevant resources
within the O'Brien Kidney Consortium to help investigators overcome barriers to utilization of relevant rodent
models for in vivo and in vitro studies (kidney cells and cell lines) to advance understanding of the
pathophysiology of AKI. The Core will capitalize on the excellent, established track record of supporting the
national kidney research community through provision of state-of-the-art tools to investigate AKI in animal
models. Since the inception of the O'Brien Center, Core B has performed more than 20,000 procedures for the
community. The hands-on, technically challenging experimental resources, along with the unique expertise of
Core B personnel, will integrate into the Consortium to catalyze collaborative activities and advance AKI research
for the kidney research community. These resources have been designed to enhance skills and diversity of the
workforce by enticing and supporting early-stage investigators as well as established investigators in other fields
of study into AKI-related research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10915662
- **Project number:** 5U54DK137307-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** PAUL W. SANDERS
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $252,298
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10915662

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10915662, Pre-Clinical Core (5U54DK137307-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10915662. Licensed CC0.

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