We have examined several biological and positional candidate genes for association with end-stage renal disease and transplant outcomes.  Notably a recent collaboration with colleagues in Birmingham resulted in the identification and replication of a significant genetic risk factor for graft failure in almost 1,500 donor-recipient pairs.  We have recently completed extensive genotyping of the MHC region and are investigating several potentially important links from this data combined with epigenome-wide association data.

More than 1500 kidney transplants have been performed at Belfast City Hospital and a rich clinical dataset (developed & curated by Dr Peter McNamee, also annotated by Aisling Courtney) has been recorded for these procedures.  Belfast is a major contributor to WTCCC3 renal dysfunction study.