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Resources

The George M. O’Brien Kidney Resource Alliance (OKRA) provides over 200 specialized resources, tools, technologies, services, and expertise beyond those typically available in an individual lab or institutional core. If you are interested in requesting any of the resources below, please send an email with the following information to the OKRA National Coordinating Center at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.:

  • Principal Investigator Name
  • Primary Institution
  • Contact Email
  • Early-stage investigator status (use this link to determine your designation)
  • Project Title
  • Funding Agency
  • Resource(s) being requested/Resource Center

Online request form is coming soon!

  • Animal Models/Procedures

    Humanized mouse diet protocols

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (B-DSSL)

    Comprehensive mouse kidney phenotyping for diet and stress mechanisms

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (B-DSSL)

    Indirect calorimetry and Lipid and carbohydrate metabolism phenotyping

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (B-DSSL)

    Immunological manifestations of dietary and social stressors in the kidney

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (B-DSSL)

    Mouse biobank of dietary and social stress models

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (B-DSSL)

    Model systems studies to identify pathways shared cross-species

    Michigan

    Applied Systems Biology Core

    Yeast Models -  Protein quality control (degradation, ubiquitylation) assays

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Yeast Models - Protein trafficking assays (immunofluorescence, density centrifugation)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Yeast Models -  Positive genetic selection assays

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Yeast Models - Computational identification of functional variants

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Yeast Models - Bioinformatic analysis of genotype-phenotype correlations (TopMed, Clinvar, UK BioBank)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Epithelial Models - Mammalian cell culture models (proximal tubule, collecting duct, polarized epithelia)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Epithelial Models - Organoid models to study nephron development

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Epithelial Models - Organoid models to study kidney physiology

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Epithelial Models - Organoid models to study kidney injury

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Animal Models - Measurement of GFR and RBF

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Animal Models - Metabolic cage studies, urine metabolites

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Animal Models - Blood pressure telemetry

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Animal Models - Cardiac Function (pressure-time parameters)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Animal Models - Real-time super-resolution ultrasound of kidney microvasculature

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Animal Models - Purine metabolomics

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Animal Models - Mitochondrial / Bioenergetics (Seahorse)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Animal Models - Injury biomarker assessment

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Disease Models: AKI (ischemia-reperfusion injury)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Disease Models: AKI (cisplatin nephrotoxicity)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Disease Models: AKI (gentamicin nephrotoxicity)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Disease Models: AKI (cecal ligation and puncture)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Disease Models: AKI (sickle cell crisis)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Disease Models: CKD (genetic models)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Disease Models: CKD (FSGS)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Disease Models: CKD (unilateral ureteral obstruction)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Disease Models: CKD (two kidney one clip hypertension)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Disease Models: CKD (chronic angiotensin II infusion)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Special Rodent Diets (low and high Na+ and K+)

    Pittsburgh

    Model Systems Core

    Kidney ischemia/reperfusion (IRI)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Orthotopic kidney transplantation

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Tail vein injection or venipuncture (per animal)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    GFR (transcutaneous FITC-sinistrin) in rodents

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Cannulation (indwelling with injection port)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Misc. surgical services involving body wall penetration (per hour)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    5/6th nephrectomy (both steps)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Radio-telemetry determination of blood pressure

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

     Whole kidney clearance/oxygen consumption studies

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Tissue oxygen partial pressure determination in kidney

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Determination of GFR in awake rodents

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Micropuncture for nephron function and TG feedback

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Metabolic cage experiments in mice (per animal and week)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Automated tail-cuff blood pressure determination (each, 6 days)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Laser Capture Microdissection from frozen tissue (~70 pieces individually collected per sample; sample quality and amount appropriate for RNA-Seq or potentially proteomics)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

  • Biostatistics/Bioinformatics

    Biostatistical support

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Quantitative morphometric analyses of kidney biopsy samples

    Michigan

    Applied Systems Biology Core

    Multi-scalar data analysis and integration

    Michigan

    Applied Systems Biology Core

    Nephroseq - access/training/support

    Michigan

    Data Analytic Services Core

    TranSMART - access/training/support

    Michigan

    Data Analytic Services Core

    CELLxGENE and Vitessce - access/training/support

    Michigan

    Data Analytic Services Core

    Investigating biomarker association (gene, protein, metabolite level) in clinical existing cohorts through TranSMART instance

    Michigan

    Data Analytic Services Core

    Develop generalized workflow for integrative web-based analysis

    Michigan

    Data Analytic Services Core

    AKI Study Analysis and Interpretation

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

    Analysis of pilot data

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

    Sample size and/or power analysis

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

    Analyses of study results

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

  • Data Provisioning

    Dietary assessment and Dietary data

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core

    Large longitudinal cohort study data from racially and socioeconomically diverse populations

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Publicly available datasets

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    EMR registries

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Genomics dataset w/ deep phenotyping

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Proteomics dataset w/ deep phenotyping

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Metabolomics dataset w/ deep phenotyping

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Clinical and molecular interactions in investigators’ data sets

    Michigan

    Applied Systems Biology Core

    Cloud-based multimodal databases for AKI and critical care nephrology research studies

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

    Database development

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

    Big data transformation & pipeline development

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

  • Laboratory Services

    Stored biospecimen samples from completed studies

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Healthy volunteer samples for Reference Range

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Prospective remnant sample collection

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Biomarker measurement - Immunoassays

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Biomarker measurement - Clinical Chemistry

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Biorepository support - Processing aliquoting, short- and long-term sample storage

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Microbiome; germ-free sample banks

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (B-DSSL)

    Structured RNA-DNA sequence data integration

    Michigan

    Applied Systems Biology Core

    Synthesis and Attachment of Targeting Moieties

    Northwestern

    Biomedical Resource Core

    Gene Therapy and Drug Loading into Nanocarriers

    Northwestern

    Biomedical Resource Core

    Isolation of single nephron segments for immunofluorescence, enzyme assays, RNA and protein isolation

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    In vitro microperfusion of isolated tubules for measurement of transepithelial ion and solute transport

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    In vitro microperfusion of isolated tubules for functional fluorescence assays of single cell function

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    Isolation of Xenopus laevis oocytes

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    Oocyte two-electrode voltage clamp

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    Quantification of surface protein expression

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    Patch-clamp analyses

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    Epithelial transport in Ussing chambers

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    AKI Biological Sample Repository

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

    Seahorse bioflux analyzer (XF24/XF96)

    WUSTL

    Metabolism Core

    High resolution respirometry (Oroboros)

    WUSTL

    Metabolism Core

    Substrate oxidation assays

    WUSTL

    Metabolism Core

    Untargeted metabolomics

    WUSTL

    Metabolism Core

    Stable isotope flux studies

    WUSTL

    Metabolism Core

    COL4A3/A4/A5 VUS (missense) analysis by split nano-Luciferase collagen IV assembly and secretion assays using transfected cells

    WUSTL

    Variant Validation Core

    COL4A3/A4/A5 VUS (intronic) analysis by RNA splicing assays using transfected cells

    WUSTL

    Variant Validation Core

    COL4A3/A4/A5 VUS analysis by high resolution quantitative immunofluorescence imaging in paraffin sections of kidney biopsies

    WUSTL

    Variant Validation Core

    COL4A3/A4/A5 VUS analysis in vivo by mouse gene editing

    WUSTL

    Variant Validation Core

    Analysis of VUS in other genes through design and implementation of tailored laboratory assays

    WUSTL

    Variant Validation Core

    LC-MS/MS Creatinine determination (per test)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Use of a microsurgical workstation (per hour)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

  • Methods Development

    Transcript driven data-mining workflow - Single cell RNA Sequencing analysis pipeline

    Michigan

    Applied Systems Biology Core

    Transcript driven data-mining workflow - Streamlined self-organizing map (SOM) to identify functional subgroups

    Michigan

    Applied Systems Biology Core

    Transcript driven data-mining workflow - Weighted Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) to identify co-expressed molecular elements within datasets

    Michigan

    Applied Systems Biology Core

    Metabolomics driven analysis workflow

    Michigan

    Applied Systems Biology Core

    Design of epidemiological, clinical studies or clinical trials

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

    Forms, manual of operations, and/or instrument development

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

    Methodologies and Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

  • Microscopy/Imaging Services

    3-dimensional confocal tissue cytometry of kidney tissue

    Indiana University

    Molecular Imaging Resource Core

    CODEX multiplexed cytometry of mouse and human kidney tissue

    Indiana University

    Molecular Imaging Resource Core

    Spatial Transcriptomics of mouse and human kidney tissue (Visium)

    Indiana University

    Molecular Imaging Resource Core

    In situ sequencing of mouse and human kidney tissue

    Indiana University

    Molecular Imaging Resource Core

    Glomerular Permeability

    Indiana University

    Intravital Microscopy Resource Core

    Proximal tubule endocytosis

    Indiana University

    Intravital Microscopy Resource Core

    Microvascular flow

    Indiana University

    Intravital Microscopy Resource Core

    Microvascular permeability

    Indiana University

    Intravital Microscopy Resource Core

    Mitochondrial function

    Indiana University

    Intravital Microscopy Resource Core

    Cellular oxidative stress

    Indiana University

    Intravital Microscopy Resource Core

    Apoptosis and necrosis

    Indiana University

    Intravital Microscopy Resource Core

    Characterization of in vivo fluorescent probe delivery to the kidney

    Indiana University

    Intravital Microscopy Resource Core

    Characterization of transgenic rodents expressing fluorescently tagged proteins in the kidney

    Indiana University

    Intravital Microscopy Resource Core

    Fluorescence lifetime imaging of endogenous and exogenous fluorophores in the kidney

    Indiana University

    Intravital Microscopy Resource Core

    Functional imaging analyses

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    Standard light microscopy - Brightfield, darkfield, epifluorescence, DIC

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Standard light microscopy - Macro (stereo) imaging microscopy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Confocal microscopy - Laser scanning confocal microscopy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Confocal microscopy - Spinning disk confocal microscopy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Confocal microscropy - Ribbon scanning confocal microscopy for cleared organs/tissues

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Confocal microscropy - Fluorescent lifetime imaging

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Confocal microscropy - Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Multiphoton microscopy - Multiphoton confocal microscopy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Multiphoton microscopy - Fluorescent lifetime imaging

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Multiphoton microscopy - Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Multiphoton microscopy - Intravital imaging

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    TRIF Microscopy - TIRF imaging acquisition and analysis

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Super-resolution microscopy - STED

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Super-resolution microscopy - CREST

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Super-resolution microscopy - STORM

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Super-resolution microscopy - AX/NSPARC

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Live-cell microscopy - Spinning disk confocal microscopy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Live-cell microscopy - Fluorescent lifetime imaging

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Live-cell microscopy - Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Live-cell microscopy - Lattice light sheet microscopy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Live-cell microscopy - Incubator microscopy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Live-cell microscopy -Microinjection

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Meso-Spim light sheet microscopy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Whole slide scanning - brightfield and epifluorescence

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    iPOL imaging

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Electron Microscopy - Scanning electron microscopy (field-emission)

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Electron Microscopy - Transmission electron microscopy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Electron Microscopy - Freeze fracture microscopy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Electron Microscopy - Platinum replica electron microscopy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Electron Microscopy - Negative staining

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Electron Microscopy - Freeze substitution

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Electron Microscopy - Ultramicrotomy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Electron Microscopy - Ultrathin cryo EM

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Electron Microscopy - CLEM

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Electron Microscopy - Immuno-Electron microscopy

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Image Analysis - Photoshop

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Image Analysis - Imaris

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Image Analysis - Metamorph

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Image Analysis - NIS elements

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Image Analysis - Leica LASX

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Image Analysis - NIH image/FIJI

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Images w/ deep phenotyping

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Functional renal imaging (tracer dependent, per hour)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Structural and metabolic imaging (US, MRI, microCT) (per hour)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Nuclear imaging (Gamma camera, SPECT/CT, PET/CT) (per hour)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Optical Imaging (Bioluminescence, Fluorescence) (per hour)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

    Image Analysis

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

  • Project Consultation

    Clinical science study design

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core

    Behavioral intervention studies

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Translational studies in the community

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (C-DSSL)

    Basic science study design

    Johns Hopkins

    Biomedical Resource Core (B-DSSL)

    Shared Data Mining Services - Initial study design consultation

    Michigan

    Applied Systems Biology Core

    Guidance in Molecular and Cell Target Selection

    Northwestern

    Biomedical Resource Core

    Nanoparticle Carrier Selection Assistance

    Northwestern

    Biomedical Resource Core

    Evaluating Targeting Fidelity In Vitro and In Vivo

    Northwestern

    Biomedical Resource Core

    Consultation for development of new approaches to study the kidney and lower urinary tract using morphological tools

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    AKI Study Planning and Design

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

    AKI Clinical Study Initiation and Conduct

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

    AKI Epidemiological Study Initiation and Conduct

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

    Data Safety and Monitoring

    UAB-UCSD

    Clinical Core

  • Training/Development

    Xenopus laevis technologies training

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    Training on use of microinjectors

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    Training on use of micropipette pullers and microforges to craft micropipettes for patch-clamp and in vitro microperfusion

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    Two-electrode voltage clamp training

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    Patch-clamp training

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    Nephron segment microdissection/isolation and microperfusion training

    Pittsburgh

    Physiology Core

    Training in sample preparation of kidney and bladder tissues for light and electron microscopic analysis

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Training in specialized sample preparation to perform labeling and analysis of cleared organs and tissues

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Training in quantitative image analysis

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Training in live-cell and intravital approaches to study the biology/pathobiology of kidney and bladder tissues

    Pittsburgh

    Kidney Imaging: Developing Novel and Innovative Tools (KIDNIT) Development Core

    Training (per hour/per day)

    UAB-UCSD

    Pre-Clinical Core

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