Multi-omics kidney aging trajectories across environments

Project Summary

Premature aging involves harmful changes in the body over time, increasing disease risk. The kidneys are especially vulnerable due to constant exposure to toxins during filtration. Kidney aging and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have major health and societal impacts, yet CKD has no cure and limited treatments. While key features of kidney aging are known, individual differences due to genetics and environment make it hard to identify biomarkers and predict risk. Using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), we propose that kidney function declines in different patterns—some experience early-onset decline, while others decline later, with changing co-morbidities—depending on genetic and environmental factors. We will develop multi-omics, environmentally-informed predictive models to better identify high-risk individuals and improve CKD prevention strategies, ultimately helping delay disease progression and promote healthier aging in the Canadian population.