Inside the lab with Dr Barbara Tanos

02 September 2025

We caught up with Dr Barbara Tanos from Brunel University of London about her fellowship work co-funded by Kidney Research UK and the Thompson Family Trust. Barbara and her team are looking at tiny projections from cells in the kidney called cilia which act as ‘cellular antennae’. Her research looks at how genetic changes to the cilia can lead to polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

Female researcher, wearing a white lab coat, in her research lab.

Dr Barbara Tanos, Brunel University of London

Thanks for talking to us about your research Barbara. Please could you explain what cilia are, what they do and what their role is in PKD.

Cilia are small structures found on the surface of cells that act as ‘antennae’, helping the cell to respond to changes. In a kidney cell, they can sense fluids and chemicals and react to any changes by telling the cell to change the way it uses nutrients to make energy (this is called ‘metabolism). In diseases such as PKD, signals from the cilia can cause the cells to respond in the wrong way, and that can result in the formation of cysts.

Please could you tell us about your previous research in this area and how you are planning to build on this.

My previous work showed that problems with the cilia can change metabolism. This is important because metabolism and energy use is disrupted in kidney disease. Although the exact way that cilia are involved in this is not yet known, it is likely there are several different changes to signalling systems through the cilia leading to PKD cyst formation.

We want to identify these signals. By understanding these pathways, new treatment targets can be identified, and new medicines developed to support healthy cilia function and prevent cyst development.

What does your current research involve?  

I have been working on turning off a gene in cells which is thought to cause PKD, using laboratory models to mimic what happens in PKD. I am currently looking at whether a range of different molecules can prevent cysts from forming. By understanding which pathways lead to cyst formation and how they can be blocked, new drug targets for PKD can be identified. My lab has also identified new molecules responsible for healthy cilia formation, which will be switched off using drugs to help us study the impact of loss of the cilia in the kidneys.

During my fellowship I’ve spoken with other great kidney researchers about their work. Professor David Long has been very supportive, and I’ve also connected with researchers such as Professor John Sayer, Professor Colin Johnson and Professor Moin Saleem. I have also now joined the scientific advisory board of CILIAREN, the Renal Ciliopathies National Network. I am grateful for all these new connections and hope by working collaboratively we can drive progress to bring new treatments to kidney patients.

Five researshers standing in a line in front of a pop up banner.

Barbara and her lab team with David Long. Order: Zoi Grigoriou, Natalia Castro-Mena, Barbara Tanos, David Long, Aimee Gowans

Your research requires a lot of expertise. How do you support new researchers to ensure that this research continues?

Currently I have four post-graduate students in the lab. Two of my PhD students are funded by Kidney Research UK. In the beginning of my fellowship, I spent a lot of time training them.

As you mention, laboratory work requires a lot of skills but also requires an understanding of what the science means and where we might go next. In addition to teaching students the technical skills, we discuss new scientific publications, work on data interpretation and statistics.

As you can imagine, it has been quite busy, but training students and helping them progress is one of the parts of my job that I enjoy the most.