# Animal and Translational Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2020 · $85,109

## Abstract

The Animal and Translational Core (Core B) provides an important regional, national, and
international resource for investigators who wish to study mechanisms of, and possible treatments for,
kidney diseases at an integrative level of biological hierarchy in preparation for direct translational studies
in humans. To achieve these goals, the Animal and Translational Core provides a comprehensive panel of
techniques for evaluating kidney parameters and associated critically important cardiovascular and
autonomic variables. Because hypertension and the metabolic syndrome are both causes and
consequences of kidney disease, the Core also offers a wide range of unique female and male animal
model systems ideally suited for the task at hand.
 Ageing is perhaps the greatest risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease
(CKD), and mitochondrial dysfunction is considered a fundamental process underlying age-related kidney
disease. Accordingly, the Animal and Translational Core has developed a suite of reliable analytical
approaches to measure key energy molecules and biomarkers of mitochondrial health/dysfunction. These
techniques are not widely available; thus the Animal and Translational Core will provide within a single
facility the analytical services needed to deepen our understanding of kidney pathophysiology and the
pharmacology of renoprotective drugs.
 Basic knowledge of mechanisms of kidney disease and possible treatments thereof is key to
improving kidney outcomes; yet per se fundamental discoveries do not decrease the burden of kidney
disease. Basic knowledge must be linked to human translational studies to provide meaningful change for
societies. The first barrier to translational studies is the development and deployment of quality drug assay
systems to define the pharmacokinetics of novel therapeutic entities in animals and humans, which is
prerequisite to designing and interpreting both preclinical studies and phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials. Dr.
Jackson, a co-director of the Animal and Translational Core, is a trained analytical chemist and a clinical
pharmacologist with a track record in drug development. Using ultra-performance-tandem mass
spectrometry, Dr. Jackson develops high-quality drug assays for users of the Animal and Translational
Core and provides intellectual resources to help guide translational studies to fruition.
 To provide a comprehensive array of services for kidney researchers, the Animal and Translational
Core has developed strong relationships with several other facilities at the University of Pittsburgh including
the Transgenic and Gene Targeting Core, the Innovative Technologies Development Core, the Center for
Metabolism and Mitochondrial Medicine, and the newly expanded Aging Institute. Core B is thus
positioned to expedite the discovery and development of new therapies for kidney diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9983065
- **Project number:** 5P30DK079307-13
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** EDWIN Kerry JACKSON
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $85,109
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9983065

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9983065, Animal and Translational Core (5P30DK079307-13). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9983065. Licensed CC0.

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