Get to know Dr Sarah Kamli-Salino
“In the long term, we plan to use this platform to enable the delivery of precision medicine, tailoring medical treatment and prevention strategies to individual patients. “
Dr Sarah Kamli-Salino
University of Aberdeen
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major complication of diabetes, affecting 1 in 3 patients and often leading to kidney failure. Current treatments can slow, but not stop, disease progression, leaving dialysis or transplantation as the only options for survival. Working alongside Professor Mirela Delibegovic at the University of Aberdeen, Sarah is developing a new human-specific model of DKD using precision-cut human kidney tissue slices. This innovative approach could replace animal testing in drug development and accelerate the discovery of new and effective treatments, bringing much-needed hope to millions of patients worldwide.
What inspired you to become a scientist? Was there a moment or person who sparked your interest?
I spent many evenings asking my dad how things worked when I was less than ten years old, from the difference between two- and four-stroke engines to how space stretches and grows. I have always been driven by a desire to understand the world, and I was naturally strong in life sciences and other scientific disciplines. This curiosity led me to follow a scientific academic path and dedicate my work to advancing humankind’s knowledge.
What are the aims of your research?
We aim to develop and refine a tissue model that mimics chronic diabetic kidney disease using human biopsies to serve as a preclinical drug-testing platform. This model will enable the study of the disease progression, and the development and screening of potential new therapeutics.
Why is animal-free research important to you and what impact could your work have on replacing animals in experiments?
Transitioning to an animal-free drug screening platform will reduce the use of animals and animal-derived products while accelerating and improving the selection of new drug candidates to make it more relevant to human health. This will ultimately lead to better human health outcomes in a more ethical and sustainable way.
What do you like to do outside of the lab?
After work, I like to unwind by playing video games and experimenting with new (often spicy) recipes. On weekends, I recharge by spending time in my small balcony garden or walking through local woods and forests, especially in winter. It’s the best way for me to start the following week with a fresh mind.
” I take great pride in supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students, watching them grow and gain confidence.
If you weren’t a scientist, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
I have many interests and have always seen myself as a “jack of all trades”, someone who can adapt, learn a wide range of skills, and apply them across diverse career paths. As a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian or an airline or fighter pilot.
What has been your biggest achievement/what are you most proud of so far?
What I am most proud of is being part of a group that actively encourages personal development and fosters both local and international collaborations. I also take great pride in supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students, watching them grow and gain confidence.
How has this funding helped to support your work?
The pilot grant will allow us to refine my tissue model of chronic diabetic kidney disease and obtain advanced preliminary data necessary for future grant applications.
What are your future aims/career goals?
We aim to commercialise our drug-testing platform by offering pharmaceutical companies the ability to evaluate their lead drug candidates. In the long term, we plan to use this platform to enable the delivery of precision medicine, tailoring medical treatment and prevention strategies to individual patients.
Professor Mirela Delibegovic at the University of Aberdeen
Dr Sarah Kamli-Salino working in the lab
