Multi-Omics Integration in Nephrology: Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions
Afaf Saliba, Yuheng Du, Tianqing Feng, Lana X. Garmire
Abstract
Omics technologies have transformed nephrology, providing deep insights into molecular mechanisms of kidney disease and enabling more precise diagnostic tools, therapeutic strategies, and prognostic markers. Multi-omics data integration, spanning bulk, single-cell, and spatial omics, offers a comprehensive view of kidney biology in health and disease. In this review, we explore methods and challenges for integrating transcriptomic, epigenomic, and spatial data. By combining omics layers, researchers can uncover novel molecular interactions and spatial tissue organization, advancing our understanding of diseases like diabetic kidney disease and autosomal polycystic kidney disease. This integrated approach is reshaping diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in nephrology and is critical for optimizing insights available from spatial and multi-omics analysis.