Renaltoolbox recruited 15 research fellows to carry out research on projects across three work packages (WPs):

WP1: Tools for diagnosing kidney disease and assessing renal function:

• A new diagnostic device to assess different aspects of renal function transcutaneously.
  Host: University of Heidelberg, Germany
  ESR Fellow: Mr. Mohammed Yusuf

• Development of dyes/tracers for analysis of renal function.
  Host: Cyanagen, Italy
  ESR Fellow: Ms. Srishti Vajpayee

• Evaluation of tracers for monitoring renal function using in vitro culture systems.
  Host: Utrecht University, The Netherlands
  ESR Fellow: Mr. João Faria

• Development of a panel of novel biomarkers to assess kidney disease progression/regression.
  Host: Utrecht University, The Netherlands
  ESR Fellow: Mr. Sabbir Ahmed

WP2: Imaging technologies to evaluate safety and efficacy:

• Assess the safety and efficacy of renal regenerative medicine therapies using advanced imaging technologies.
  Host: University of Liverpool, UK
  ESR Fellow: Ms. Katherine Elizabeth Triviño Cepeda

• Innovative MRI and multi-modal strategies for evaluating the safety and efficacy of regenerative medicine therapies.
  Host: University of Liverpool, UK
  ESR Fellow: Ms Alejandra Hernández-Pichardo

• Innovative MSOT strategies for evaluating the beneficial effects of regenerative medicine therapies on different aspects of renal function.
  Host: iThera Medical, Germany
  ESR Fellow: Mr. James Littlewood

• Developing mathematical tools for image analysis to evaluate the effects of regenerative medicine therapies on kidney function.
  Host: University of Liverpool, UK
  ESR Fellow: Mr. Soham Mukherjee

• Optimise and apply novel clearing-based technologies for the analysis of intact kidneys and other organs in order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RMTs. 
  Host: University of Heidelberg, Germany
  ESR Fellow: Ms. Tiziana Picascia

WP3: Source, potency and mechanisms of MSC therapies:

• Investigating the mechanism of action of regenerative medicine therapies by determining their effect on renal vascular endothelial and proximal tubular cells.
  Host: Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
  ESR Fellow: Ms. Katerina Apelt

• Establishing potency assays predicting immunomodulatory and renalprotective effects of mesenchymal stromal cells.
  Host: University of Heidelberg, Germany
  ESR Fellow: Ms. Eleonora Scaccia

• Determine the characteristics of CD362+ BM-MSCs and assess their safety and efficacy in an IRI mouse model.
  Host: National University of Ireland Galway, Republic of Ireland
  ESR Fellow: Ms. Sandra Calcat

• Assessing the properties and efficacy of UC-MSCs as a therapy for renal diseases.
  Host: NHS Blood and Transplant, UK
  ESR Fellow: Mr. Francesco Amadeo

• Determine the characteristics of ABCB5+ S-MSCs and A-MSCs and assess their safety and efficacy in an IRI kidney injury model.
  Host: University of Heidelberg, Germany
  ESR Fellow: Ms. Erika Erika

• Determine the role of EVs in mediating the therapeutic effects of MSCs.
  Host: Turin University, Italy
  ESR Fellow: Ms. Renata Škovronová