Hosted by Bristol Medical School
Professor Gavin Welsh: Podocytes; a journey from basic cell biology to potential new treatments for kidney disease
Podocytes are a central component of the filtration apparatus of the kidney and injury to these cells plays a major role in the development of many kidney diseases. I will discuss how our work has grown from trying to understand the basic biology of this unique cell type in both health and disease to the development of novel potential treatments for kidney disease.
Professor Simon Satchell: Sweet gatekeeper of our blood vessels - in the kidney and beyond!
The endothelial glycocalyx lines all bloods vessels throughout the body. It forms the kidney filtering system and performs vital functions in other organs. I will explain how our work has taken glycocalyx from a fuzzy layer on grainy images to identification as a key target for treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Professor Fergus Caskey: Using NHS data to drive improvements in kidney care
Once discovered, promising treatments need to be tested and then rolled out if population health is to benefit. After completing his Masters and MD in Aberdeen, Fergus Caskey moved to the Bristol to complete his clinical training in kidney medicine. Initial collaborations with the University and the UK Renal Registry focused on kidney health inequalities. Later, during his term as the Registry’s medical director, he found new ways to use routine NHS data to support randomized controlled trials in kidney care.