Combing Genome-Wide Association Studies and Single-Cell Analysis to Elucidate the Mechanisms of Kidney Disease: Proceedings of the Henry Shavelle Professorship

BACKGROUND: Kidney diseases pose a significant global health burden; there is an urgent need to deepen our understanding of their underlying mechanisms. SUMMARY: This review focuses on new innovative approaches that merge genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and single-cell omics (including transcriptomics) in kidney disease research. We begin by detailing how GWAS has identified numerous genetic risk factors, offering valuable insight into disease susceptibility. Then, we explore the application of scRNA-seq, highlighting its ability to unravel how genetic variants influence cellular phenotypes. Through a synthesis of recent studies, we illuminate the synergy between these two powerful methodologies, demonstrating their potential in elucidating the complex etiology of kidney diseases. Moreover, we discuss how this integrative approach could pave the way for precise diagnostics and personalized treatments. KEY MESSAGE: This review underscores the transformative potential of combining GWAS and scRNA-seq in the journey toward a deeper understanding of kidney diseases.