NCCR Kidney.CH (2010–2022)

NCCR Directors: François Verrey (2010–2018); Johannes Loffing (2018–2022)

Home institution: University of Zurich

Research of the NCCR

The NCCR “Kidney.CH – Kidney Control of Homeostasis” explored the physiological processes in healthy and diseased kidneys. The aim was to seek insights for new preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to treating kidney patients. The NCCR specifically advanced knowledge in the areas of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the kidneys’ control of homeostasis, i.e. the maintenance of the balance between various substances in the body.

Scientific impact

The NCCR’s impact is documented by more than 530 scientific publications that attracted substantial international attention. Among the many important results, surprising observations regarding the blood protein fetuin-A as a treatment for renal disorders stand out. The blood protein slows down and may even prevent further calcification of the kidneys. These observations provided novel insights into renal disease and led to the development of new patents related to fetuin-A. Furthermore, the research projects of the NCCR fostered collaborations between researchers in both basic science and clinical studies across Switzerland, where there was previously little research overlap and limited collaboration.

Legacy

NCCR Kidney.CH included research teams from all Swiss Universities teaching medicine, which were originally the Universities of Zurich, Bern, Basel, Fribourg, Lausanne and Geneva. In later years, the Nephrology Departments from Cantonal Hospitals in Aarau and Lugano also joined, further increasing the network structure of the NCCR far beyond its duration. Most prominently, the NCCR facilitated the development of the Swiss Kidney Stone Cohort (SKSC), a clinical multi-centre cohort that is gaining international significance. The post-graduate education programmes in “Translational Nephrology” (Certificate and Diploma of Advanced Studies) offered between Zurich and Bern are another strong legacy of the NCCR that is continuously pursued together with the Zurich Kidney Center.

  • Funding

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    The SNSF awarded 43.7 million Swiss francs to the NCCR over a duration of 12 years. The table below shows that this amount accounts for around 69 percent of the NCCR’s overall expenditures. The remaining funds were either own funds provided by the home institution or the participating groups, or contributions by third parties.

    Financing 2010–2022 (Swiss francs)

    Funding source

    2010-2014

    2014-2018

    2018-2022

    Overall

    SNSF grant

    14,908,756

    14,836,451

    13,930,999

    43,676,206

    Funds from the home institutions

    2,168,316

    4,695,965

    3,856,042

    10,720,323

    Group funds of the project participants

    4,078,988

    2,385,476

    1,240,959

    7,705,423

    External funds

    146’955

    0

    1,094,693

    1,241,648

    Total

    21,303,015

    21,917,892

    20,122,693

    63,343,600