Nephrology

Research in nephrology strives to find new ways to improve the health of renal patients, and better methods by which to deliver care. This work includes both basic biological research and clinical research.

Many of the Lawson scientists conducting nephrology research also provide medical care for patients, while teaching and training students. 

What is Nephrology? 

Nephrology is a specialty of medicine focused on the study of normal kidney function, kidney disease, and renal replacement therapy (dialysis and kidney transplantation). A nephrologist is a medical doctor who has specialized in the treatment of kidney disease. Nephrologists provide medical care to people with kidney disease, including those on dialysis and those with kidney transplants. 

Renal Transplantation

Dr. Anthony Jevnikar is Director of Transplantation Nephrology at London Health Sciences Centre, as well as a scientist at Lawson and Robarts Research Institute. Dr. Jevnikar’s lab studies autoimmune diseases, including diabetes and lupus kidney disease, and the prevention of kidney transplant rejection.

For more information on the Transplantation Nephrology Program, visit the Kidney Transplant webpage on the LHSC website.

Paediatric Nephrology & Hypertension

Located at Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, the Paediatric Nephrology & Hypertension Program was established in 1992. The mission of the program is to:

• Deliver optimal care to children of Southwestern Ontario and parts of Northern and Central Ontario that who suffer from acute and chronic kidney disease, congenital abnormalities and hypertension;
• Maintain a multi-disciplinary childhood end-stage renal disease program including renal replacement therapies; and,
• Foster the development of an integrated basic and clinical research program focusing on the understanding of biology and mechanisms of childhood kidney disease and hypertention.

Research

Areas of research include epidemiology of childhood kidney disease, measurement of kidney function, strategies for slowing progression of chronic kidney disease, dialysis adequacy, aetiology and treatment of hypertension, improving outcome after paediatric renal transplantation and paediatric pharmacology of drugs used in the field of paediatric nephrology and hypertension. A particular research focus is the ontogeny (developmental changes) of drug disposition of immunosuppressive drugs used in paediatric renal transplantation.

Training 

In partnership with the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, the Nephrology Program is the most complete program in the country. Training is provided in every aspect of Nephrology including Hemodialysis (including short daily and daily nocturnal dialysis), peritoneal dialysis, transplantation, plasmapheresis, ICU Nephrology (including continuous venovenous hemodialfiltration), and interventional nephrology (including tunneled permanent dialysis catheter placements, temporary dialysis catheter placements, as well as transplant and native kidney biopsies). Visit the division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine to learn more.

Kidney Clinical Research Unit

Improving renal health through innovation, discovery and translation.

The Lilibeth Caberto Kidney Clinical Research Unit (KCRU) is a 4,000 square-foot facility located at Victoria Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). The KCRU is dedicated to clinical research in the areas of kidney health, kidney disease and treatments of dialysis and kidney transplantation.

The KCRU fosters research conducted by an integrated group of over 30 clinicians, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, research staff and trainees, including post-doctoral fellows and graduate, medical and undergraduate students. Key methodologies and research disciplines include population surveys, analyses of health administrative data, randomized controlled trials, systematic review and meta-analysis, knowledge translation, health policy, health informatics and physician education.