Erasmus Seminar Easter Term 2026

Washing machines and their rare components:

lessons from kidney patients

Abstract

In health, our kidneys combine a plethora of anatomical, physiological, biochemical and endocrine functions to clear waste, gate keep, maintain steady states in the blood and regulate blood pressure.

Fortunately, inherited disorders of any of these processes are usually rare, but they have taught us much about many of these functions. Unfortunately, the patients who harbour rare disorders are often disadvantaged and disempowered by the healthcare system.

I will discuss how this comes to be and strategies for improving care.

Bio

Fiona Karet has been Professor of Nephrology at the University of Cambridge since 2005, and Honorary Consultant in Renal Medicine at Addenbrooke's Hospital since 2001. She trained in London, Cambridge and at Yale. She was elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2004.

For many years she combined clinical leadership of the Cambridge Renal Genetic and Tubular Disorders Service with laboratory, clinical research and teaching that began with gene discovery in tubulopathies and still involves work on electrolyte disorders and on urinary extracellular vesicles.

She has consistently championed patients with rare kidney disorders. She co-chairs the International ClinGen Renal Tubulopathies group. She is also active in career development and is an experienced mentor. She is a Founding Director of Kalium Health Ltd, a University spinout. Lastly, she has been a Fellow of Darwin College since 2014 and recently completed 7.5 years as co-Vice-Master of Darwin College Cambridge.

Please note that in the event that numbers are high, an overflow hall will be used for video coverage once all seats are taken in the Bradfield Room. We advise arriving early.