Get to know Professor Mirela Delibegovic
“The aims of our research in this project are to develop of a model of human kidney in a dish, so that we can understand what goes wrong in a kidney that is exposed to chronically high blood sugar levels.”
Professor Mirela Delibegovic
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. Professor Mirela Delibegovic and Dr Sarah Kamli-Salino at the University of Aberdeen are 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 have always really enjoyed sciences in school and in particular biology and chemistry. Through my education, I became more and more interested in why some people develop diabetes and in particular, type 2 diabetes. I understood that to answer this question I would need to know about our normal body physiology before I could understand pathophysiology.
What are the aims of your research?
The aims of our research in this project are to develop of a model of human kidney in a dish, so that we can understand what goes wrong in a kidney that is exposed to chronically high blood sugar levels.
Why is animal-free research important to you and what impact could your work have on replacing animals in experiments?
When studying kidney disease in diabetes, there is no perfect model that can allow us to have an insight into what goes wrong and at which point kidney failure occurs. To be able to translate any potential new therapy, we need to first develop a model that is as close to human physiology as possible. The idea would be, if our technology works, to be able to use a small kidney biopsy from a patient, test different drugs (or combination of these) for that specific patient and assess which therapy would work best. This could move us to precision medicine way of treatment for each individual.
What do you like to do outside of the lab?
I love spending time with my children, playing fun (and competitive) board games, going out for walks and socialising with friends and family.
”I am also very proud of the way we collaborate with others nationally and internationally to answer bigger questions in the field of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
If you weren’t a scientist, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
If I were not a scientist, I would most likely like to be doctor or educator. I love the idea of passing on knowledge, seeing others develop and also affect people’s lives in a positive and beneficial manner.
What has been your biggest achievement/what are you most proud of so far?
For my part, my biggest achievement has been the team I have developed and scientists trained during my academic career. This is what I like to call my “academic family”. I am also very proud of the way we collaborate with others nationally and internationally to answer bigger questions in the field of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
How has funding from Animal Free Research UK helped to support your work?
This funding will allow us to test our idea of technology development that would achieve patient specific testing of therapies.
What are your future aims/career goals?
Future goals of our research are to develop new diagnostic tools to allow patient stratification and early treatment and prevention of cardiometabolic diseases.
Professor Mirela Delibegovic working at her lab at the University of Aberdeen
Dr Sarah Kamli-Salino, postdoctoral researcher
