European award for Italian research in the field of nephrology. The European Renal Association (Era) will confer the Era Award to Ariela Benigni, scientific secretary of the Mario Negri Pharmacological Research Institute and research coordinator for the Bergamo and Ranica offices, “for the exceptional contribution to basic research in nephrology”. Delivery tomorrow, Thursday 23 May, during the 61st Era Congress in Stockholm.
“If I consider my activity – declares Benigni – rather than basic research I would talk about pre-clinical research which has had and still has a key role in the field of kidney diseases and beyond. Through experimental models, over time we have learned to know what are the causes and what are the molecular mechanisms responsible for the onset and progression of many kidney diseases? We have currently developed models in the laboratory that allow us to have mini-organs in test tubes using patient cells. These tools allow us to find new drugs and in some cases ‘tailor-made’ drugs for each individual. It is a fascinating, constantly evolving activity, and personalized care will soon be reached. I am very honored to receive this award which I dedicate to all the women I work with and to women engaged in the field of nephrology”.
Benigni’s interest in the field of research, Mario Negri recalls, concerns understanding the causes that develop kidney diseases and the mechanisms of progression of the damage that leads to the loss of kidney function. The scientist successfully led studies on gene therapy to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ without the use of drugs. More recently, with a focus on stem cells, she coordinates a research group with the aim of identifying new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of rare kidney diseases. With over 25 thousand members, Era is one of the largest nephrology associations in the world and the most important and prestigious European medical association in the nephrology field. It supports basic and clinical research in the fields of clinical nephrology, dialysis, renal transplantation and related subjects, with the goal of reducing the severity of chronic kidney disease that often leads to kidney failure. The association publishes two leading European official nephrology journals, ‘Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation’ and ‘Clinical Kidney Journal’ (open access).
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