CURE Consortium
The NIH established a Consortium for the research of CKDnt in 2020. The Consortium, Chronic Kidney Diseases of UnceRtain Etiology (CKDnt) in Agricultural Communities (CURE), known as CURE, is composed of three sub-groups: 1) the Scientific Data Coordinating Center (SDCC), 2) Field Epidemiology Sites (FES), and 3) the Renal Science Core (RSC). Field epidemiology sites (FES) will be located throughout regions of the world affected by CKDnt. The Scientific Data Coordinating Center will combine the data collected at the FES and the Renal Science Core will analyze biological samples. It is an exciting opportunity to combine the power of multiple studies around the world to better understand the etiology of CKDnt.
The Boston University Research Group for the Study of Chronic Kidney Disease won grants from the NIH to participate in each of the sub-groups. Dr. Scammell is the Principal Investigator of a Field Epidemiology Site in El Salvador and Nicaragua, Dr. Brooks is a member of the Scientific Data Coordinating Center and Dr. Friedman is a member of the Renal Science Core. Our research group is currently highly involved in planning the CURE study and is excited to begin fieldwork in 2022.