"Fresh Human Kidney Tissue: Exploring biomarkers and intervention targets in chronic kidney disease"
Aim
To develop a model system that better reflects human chronic kidney disease.
The FRIGG model system aims to serve as a platform for identifying potential biomarkers and as a tool for identifying drug targets and evaluating potential drug candidates.
Approach
The interdisciplinary FRIGG team used fresh human kidney slices to establish a platform that models different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Biopsies from healthy individuals and patients with CKD were transferred directly from the operating theatre to the laboratory, where they were cut into thin slices and cultured under conditions designed to reproduce distinct disease phenotypes. The tissue slices can be analyzed using standard histological methods and advanced techniques such as spatial transcriptomics.
Outcome
During the project (2021–2023), the FRIGG team established a human-based model of chronic kidney disease using fresh human kidney tissue. The platform provides a physiologically relevant tool for studying disease mechanisms, identifying biomarkers and drug targets, and improving the translation of laboratory findings to patients.
On this page, you can watch a video recorded at the beginning of the FRIGG project and find a list of project participants. You can also read a full article about the project or read a very short cartoon introduction to the project.
THE FRIGG TEAM
Academic team members
- Rikke Nørregaard, Professor, Aarhus University
- Lene Niemann Nejsum, Professor, Aarhus University
- Lin Lin, Assoc. Professor, Aarhus University
- Henricus A. M. Mutsaers, Asst. Professor, Aarhus University
- Mia Gebauer Madsen, Chief Physician, Aarhus University Hospital
- Anna Krarup Keller, Assoc. Professor, Aarhus University Hospital
- Gitte Albinus Pedesen, postdoc, Aarhus University
- Camilla Merrild, PhD student, Aarhus University
- Jørgen Kjems, Professor, Aarhus University
Industrial team member
- Pernille Lærkegaard Hansen, AstraZeneca
- Shrikant R. Mulay, AstraZeneca
- Lihuan Liang, AstraZeneca
- Federica Genovesa, Nordic Bioscience
- Alexandra Louise Møller
- Agnès Bèrnadeau, Novo Nordisk
- Peter Helding Kvist, Novo Nordisk
- Maria Ougaard, Novo Nordisk
ARTICLES FROM THE FRIGG PROJECT
- Elsborg SH, et al. 2023. Multiplex immunofluorescence staining of coverslip-mounted paraffin-embedded tissue sections. APMIS. 131(8):394-402. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/apm.13329
- Merrild C, et al. 2024. A human tissue-based model of renal inflammation. Exp Cell Res. 443(1):114309. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114309
- Pedersen GA, et al. 2026. Evaluation of Epithelial Integrity in Human Precision-Cut Kidney Slices. APMIS. 134(4):e70205. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/apm.70205
- Riishede A, et al. 2026. Histopathological Assessment of Precision-Cut Kidney Slices: A Live Human Tissue-Based Model of Renal Fibrosis. APMIS. 134(6):e70226. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/apm.70226
- Pedersen GA, et al. 2026. Multiplex Immunofluorescence Staining of Paraffin-Embedded Tissue: Coverslip Mounting of Tissue Sections Improves Z-axis Optical Resolution in Widefield Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol. 2995:25-34. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-5027-1_2
ABOUT ODIN
ODIN brings researchers from academia and industry together to co-create need-driven research projects that can lead to new treatments, diagnostics, tools, and technologies. We fund the strongest project ideas through competitive funding calls. Companies cannot receive ODIN funding, but participation is free of charge and gives access to academic expertise, new collaborations, and opportunities to explore early-stage research challenges.
ODIN is supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Lundbeck Foundation.
CONTACT ODIN
You are welcome to contact us if you have questions or comments. Reach out to odin@au.dk.
Although the platform spans five Danish universities, we're based in Aarhus. Our office is located at Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, Bldg 1535-117.
