Laboratory for Human Kidney Development Research

PI: Dr. Naomi Pode Shakked


Vision

Our mission is to unravel the complexities of kidney development and disease, leveraging state-of-the-art human-based models such as organoids and tubuloids.
We are committed to transforming insights from human kidney development into innovative, etiology-based therapies, addressing critical clinical challenges for improving the lives of infants and children affected by kidney diseases.



 

Lab Team

Dr. Naomi Pode Shakked, MD-PhD

Lab PI
naomips@tlvmc.gov.il

Dr. Einat Bigelman, PhD

Lab manager
einatb@tlvmc.gov.il

Maia Kohon

Lab technician

Roni Lerner

MD-PhD student

Keren Ron

PhD student

List of active projects

Deciphering Disorders of Kidney and Urinary Tract Development.
Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT) are the leading cause of pediatric end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Our lab investigates the role of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) in kidney and urinary tract development, leveraging human iPSC-derived kidney organoids to explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying CAKUT and related conditions. Recent findings reveal that RAAS disruption in Autosomal Recessive Renal Tubular Dysgenesis (AR-RTD) causes delayed vasculogenesis, depriving proximal tubule cells of nutrients (Pode-Shakked, N., Slack, M., Sundaram, N. et al. RAAS-deficient organoids indicate delayed angiogenesis as a possible cause for autosomal recessive renal tubular dysgenesis. Nat Commun 14, 8159 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43795-x). Through innovative organoid models and dietary interventions, we aim to develop etiology-based therapeutic interventions to address these conditions.



Interventions for Enhancing Kidney Maturation and Resilience
By studying the role of metabolic supplements in promoting kidney tissue growth and maturation, especially in vulnerable populations like preterm infants, we aim to identify novel therapeutic interventions to support or even rescue kidney development when conventional treatments fall short.

Precision Gene-Directed Therapy for Wilms' Tumor
Our lab is pioneering a precision gene therapy approach to treat Wilms' tumor by leveraging the unique genetic landscape of this childhood kidney cancer. This cutting-edge strategy holds the potential to revolutionize treatment for Wilms' tumor, offering safer and more effective options for these young patients

Advanced iPSC-derived kidney and collecting system organoid models
Developing next-generation kidney organoid models using hPSC-derived systems to improve their authenticity and achieve accurate modeling of kidney development and diseases.


Current funding:

Highlight Publications:

  • Integrating collecting systems in kidney organoids through fusion of distal nephron to ureteric bud.

  • RAAS-deficient organoids indicate delayed angiogenesis as a possible cause for autosomal recessive renal tubular dysgenesis.

  • Increasing angiotensin-converting enzyme concentrations and absent angiotensin-converting enzyme activity are associated with adverse kidney outcomes in pediatric septic shock.

  • Serum renin and prorenin concentrations predict severe persistent acute kidney injury and mortality in pediatric septic shock

Full list of Research Publications

To view the full list of research publications, please visit the PubMed website
Click Here


Our Lab In The Media

  • "Half a Billion Shekels to Transform Healthcare: 'Mavri' Leads the Advancement of Biomedical Research"
    Link >>>
  • MAVRI Launching Event, September 17, National Library of Israel
    Link >>>


At Our Lab:

From R&D Newsletter
MAVRI Launching Event

Lab Gallery