Genetic Markers and Liquid Biopsy for Kidney Diseases: 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

In the modern era, technical advances in molecular biology have proven successful in the understanding of the pathogenesis of kidney diseases. The recent advents of next-generation sequencing and high-throughput functional genomics techniques have allowed us to produce molecular fingerprints that characterize the expressions of genes within different kidney cells. As a result, significant molecular markers have been found among kidney diseases.

However, many kidney diseases such as rejection of kidney transplantation, kidney cancer, IgA nephropathy and other chronic kidney diseases are still diagnosed by kidney tissue biopsy. This tissue biopsy is invasive and can introduce some serious complications. Liquid biopsy analyzes biomarkers in bodily fluids. Liquid biopsies are preferable to tissue biopsies because they are less invasive. Liquid biopsy technologies based on circulating DNA/RNA, extracellular vesicles and exosomes have been explosive. The analysis of gene expressions by liquid biopsy technology represents a promising new avenue for the diagnosis and prognosis of kidney diseases.

This Special Issue in Genes titled “Genetic Markers and Liquid Biopsy for Kidney Diseases” will provide a monographic portrait of the current advances in molecular biomarkers and liquid biopsy technology for the clinical management of kidney diseases including kidney cancer, kidney transplantation, nephropathy and chronic kidney disease. We especially welcome review articles (either systematic or discursive), mini-reviews, new methods, original research studies and short communications of preliminary, but significant, experimental results.

Prof. Dr. Guorong Li
Guest Editor

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