PLAN Research Day December 15 2006
From NIER
PLAN Research Day, Groningen
Groningen ON TOP: On Nephrology and Transplant Oriented Problems
On December 15th 2006, the 10th PLAN Research Day took place in Groningen. That day, around 40 young and enthusiastic researchers met, learned and discussed about the kidney, kidney injury and repair, kidney transplantation, or in short the nephrological research conducted in Groningen.
The PLAN Research Day was organized by the “Platform AIO’s/Postdocs Nefrologie” (PLAN). PLAN is part of the Dutch Federation of Nephrology (NfN) and was funded in March 2001. PLAN consists of PhD-students from all medical centers conducting nephrological research in the Netherlands; from every medical center one representative is active in PLAN. PLAN is for all PhD-students, students, and postdocs conducting kidney-related research, and aims: to promote contacts between PhD-students, to provide knowledge on nephrological research taking place in Dutch medical centers, and to organize education for PhD-students about the kidney and kidney diseases. Each year 2 educational days are organized, each time visiting an other medical center, where local, young researchers can present their own work in a stimulating and interactive environment.
After visiting all the university medical centers in the Netherlands, the PLAN research day was this time organized in Groningen, the place where it all started in 2001. The program was divided into 3 sessions. In the morning, Dr. Ron Gansevoort started off with an historical perspective on nephrological research in Groningen. Thereafter, 3 junior researchers elaborated on the main determinants for renal function decline, which are albuminuria (the presence of albumin in the urine), an elevated blood pressure and a high BMI (body mass index). After enjoying the lunch, it was time for an interactive and practical part. Visitors could actually feel and hold a real (pig) kidney, shoot a kidney biopsy, and try to canulate the kidney artery for subsequent placement in a transportable kidney preservation machine. Another group took place behind the computer to surf on the recently launched NIER-website (Nephrological Issues in Experimental Research; www.nier.eu), an educational website designed for young nephrological researchers to assist them in finding their way in nephrological research. The afternoon started with an introduction on fundamental nephrology, by Dr. Ron Korstanje, followed by 4 young researchers who try to unravel the genetics and molecular pathways underlying kidney disease with the use of different animal and cell culture models. After a coffee break, Dr. Marc Seelen introduced the final session of the day, kidney transplantation. He was followed by 3 young researchers, from whom we learned that we should take good care of our living kidney donors and about the contribution of stem cells in repair after kidney transplantation.
After the scientific part, it was time for socializing during drinks and diner! So a pleasant ending of a very stimulating and inspiring day, with lots of discussions. Therefore, special thanks go to all the attendees, speakers, and the people that helped with the practical demonstrations.
On behalf of PLAN,
Mirjan van Timmeren
