We have the largest hospital-based research program at UHN and one of the most comprehensive nephrology programs in Canada.
Our division consists of many diverse subspecialties including home and hemodialysis, kidney/kidney-pancreas transplantation, glomerular disease, hereditary kidney disease, geriatric and palliative renal medicine, kidney, and onco-nephrology.
Our Laboratories
Across the division there are clinics covering a number of specialized areas including hypertension, diabetic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, hereditary kidney disease and many more. In addition, our faculty participates in a full range of academic activities including basic science, translational and clinical research, and teaching. Our division is considered to be one of the leading institutions for training Nephrologists for both academic careers and clinical practice in North America. With this breadth of expertise, we are proud to be able to provide outstanding clinical care, conduct ground breaking research, and offer numerous training opportunities in nephrology.
Laboratories & Clinics
Barua Lab
A major contribution of the Barua Lab has been the identification of variants in the α3, α4 and α5 chains of type IV collagen in hematuria, albuminuria and a pathologic lesion known as focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The Barua lab has also identified PAX2 mutations in FSGS. These findings form the basis of mechanistic work that the group is now pursuing alongside their human genetic studies.
Cardiorenal Protection in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Dr. Sunita Singh is a Transplant Nephrologist in the Division of Nephrology at the Toronto General Hospital with additional training in diabetes care in transplant recipients and pancreas transplantation as a treatment option for patients with Type 1 diabetes. She also has a research interest in Pancreas Transplantation, as well as an interest in understanding the pathogenesis of recurrent diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the kidney allograft and therapies for DKD in the transplant population.
CaRE Program & Renal Physiology Laboratory
Dr. Cherney is the director of the Renal Physiology Laboratory. With a specific interest in the relationship between diabetes and kidney and heart disease, Dr. Cherney’s research focuses on the physiological factors that lead to kidney disease in patients with diabetes. He leads a number of large clinical trials that look at the different causes of kidney disease, particularly diabetes.
Centre for Innovative Management of Polycystic Kidney Disease
Currently, we follow or co-manage with our referring nephrologists more than 500 patients and see at least 200 new patients each year. Our clinic is held on Wednesday mornings at the Toronto General Hospital.
Clinical Trials in Kidney Failure - CKD and Dialysis Innovation
“Patients have different issues that affect dialysis care that we need to take into account, such as the number and severity of any comorbidities, their functional abilities, social support, and their personal preferences for kidney replacement therapy and dialysis access. “We need to do research to evaluate the impact of an individualized approach to vascular access care to fully understand its health outcomes, cost, patient satisfaction, and quality of life.”