New technologies are being developed to help cure kidney disease

Kidney disease is a common complication of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity and is one of the most common chronic illnesses. Recent advancements in biomedical research and unique technology have made it possible to study kidney disease in a number of platforms and populations, including humans. The kidney in hypertension, diabetes, and monogenic forms of kidney disease, as well as the cellular and molecular mediators of acute  kidney injury and fibrosis, IgA nephropathy, and idiopathic membranous nephropathy, and kidney transplantation, are all covered in this series of reviews. We examine new insights into focal segmental glomerular sclerosis and the role of podocytes in health and illness in this introduction. We also examine how new technology, medicines, and the availability of patient data might assist influence kidney disease research and, eventually, inform biomedical research and health-care legislation.