The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), in collaboration with the Polycystic Kidney Research (PKR) Foundation, has allotted $20 million for grants over the next five years for the establishment of research centers focusing on polycystic kidney disease.
"We are pleased to award these grants to some of the most innovative and cutting-edge researchers in the field," said Josephine Briggs, director of the NIDDK's Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases (www.niddk.nih.gov).
Grants that have been awarded include $1.15 million to Stefan Somlo, MD, of Yale University School of Medicine; about $844,000 to Gregory Germino, MD, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; $775,000 to Ellis D. Avner, MD, of Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital/ Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine; and $775,000 to Jared J. Grantham, MD, of University of Kansas Medical Center. Each center is expected to take a different approach to developing treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease.
"Establishing these centers will take research to a much higher level," said Drew Netter, vice-chairman of the PKR Foundation (www.pkdcure.org). "We now have an opportunity to focus research efforts, and this should speed the process of finding a treatment and ultimately a cure."
According to the foundation, the annual cost to the federal government for PKD-associated treatment, including dialysis and kidney transplants, is estimated to be about $2 billion.
The PKR Foundation plans to supplement the grants though its $5 million END PDK Campaign.
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