TRIDENT

• What is TRIDENT?

What is TRIDENT?

Transformative Research in Diabetic Nephropathy

TRIDENT (Transformative Research in Diabetic Nephropathy) is a multi-center, public–private research consortium focused on improving the biological understanding and clinical management of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). By integrating kidney biopsy pathology with next-generation multi-omic profiling and longitudinal clinical data, TRIDENT seeks to identify disease-driving mechanisms and enable precision diagnostics and therapeutics for patients with diabetic kidney disease.

A tissue-anchored approach to diabetic kidney disease

TRIDENT is anchored in human kidney tissue biology. The study links histopathologic and molecular features derived from clinically indicated kidney biopsies with long-term clinical outcomes, enabling direct investigation of biological pathways associated with disease progression.

Through integrated analysis of kidney tissue, blood, urine, and genetic data, TRIDENT supports biologically informed disease classification and risk stratification beyond traditional clinical phenotypes.

A collaborative public–private consortium

TRIDENT brings together nephrologists, renal pathologists, basic scientists, and clinical investigators from >22 academic medical centers across North America, in partnership with industry collaborators. This consortium structure enables standardized data collection, centralized analysis, and coordinated translation of discoveries into biomarker development and therapeutic hypotheses.

Study platform and scope

TRIDENT is a prospective observational study enrolling adults with diabetes and kidney disease who are undergoing clinically indicated kidney biopsy. Participants contribute kidney tissue, blood, urine, and clinical data and are followed longitudinally to define molecular and histologic features associated with disease progression.

The TRIDENT platform supports:

• Integrated pathology, transcriptomic, genetic, proteomic, and biomarker analyses

• Longitudinal assessment of kidney function and clinical outcomes

• Identification of molecular signatures associated with rapid versus slow disease progression

• Translation of tissue-level findings into non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic targets

For patients and families

We can help you:

• Learn about ongoing clinical research and future clinical trial opportunities

• Connect with expert physicians and academic medical centers

• Better understand diabetic kidney disease and its management

• Access patient and family support resources

You can help us:

• Participate in TRIDENT at a participating clinical center

• Join the TRIDENT contact registry

• Engage with patient advocacy and research communities

Participation is voluntary, and all research activities are conducted alongside standard clinical care.

Why TRIDENT matters

By linking kidney tissue biology to longitudinal clinical outcomes at scale, TRIDENT establishes a foundation for precision medicine in diabetic kidney disease. The knowledge generated through this consortium informs biomarker development, patient stratification, and the rational design of targeted therapies.