Personal profile
Overview
Kidney Research UK Fellow in the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Manchester.
Research interests
We are interested in understanding the molecular drivers of diabetic vascular disease (specifically diabetic kidney disease), with the ultimate goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets.
Our research combines data from laboratory model systems (e.g., human cells) and computational methods focused on integrating molecular data from human kidney with large-scale population studies.
Qualifications
- 2015 - PhD University of Bristol
- 2011 - BSc (1st Class Hons) University of Leeds
Biography
Abigail graduated from the University of Leeds in 2011 with a BSc in Microbiology with Immunology. She undertook her PhD at the University of Bristol under the supervision of Professor Richard Coward and Professor Gavin Welsh, which was awarded in 2015.
In 2021, Abigail was awarded a BHF Accelerator Fellowship from The University of Manchester to continue her research on the mechanisms underlying diabetic vascular disease and subsequently a Kidney Research UK Fellowship in 2022.
My group
Current
Dr Abigail C Lay
KRUK Research Fellow
Dr David Scannali
Research Associate (2024 - )
Ms Nancy A Smart
PhD Student (2022 - )
Past lab members
Dr Matthew Sinton Research Associate (2023 - 2024)
Ms Hongmin Li MSc Student (2023 - 2024)
Ms Kim Godinho MSc Student (2024 - 2025)
Ms Yao Lu MSc Student (2024 - 2025)
Memberships of committees and professional bodies
Editorial Board
BMC Nephrology
Memberships
UKKA - Laboratory Science Committee
European Diabetic Nephropathy Study Group
Society for Endocrinology UK
Kidney Research UK Alumni
American Society of Nephrology
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Progression of albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over 24 years in people with type 2 diabetes. Drivers, potential protectors and associated mortality
Matheou, A., Zavlis, O., White, S., McDonnell, T., Warner-Levy, A., Warner-Levy, J., Wilkins, L., Habte-Asres, H., Lay, A., Shalamanova, L., Whyte, M., Gibson, M., Kalra, P. A. & Heald, A., 1 Mar 2026, In: Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association. 43, 3, e70193.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
A Novel Role of Hyaluronan and Its Membrane Receptors, CD44 and RHAMM, in Obesity-Related Kidney Pathology
Qi, B., Musale, V., Weng, X., Banah, A. K., Lawlor, A., Murdoch, C. E., Lay, A. C., Heesom, K. J., Coward, R. J. M., O’Connor, C. L., Ju, W., Bitzer, M., Hills, C. E., Chen, Y. & Kang, L., 14 Nov 2025, In: Biomolecules.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Contrasting consequences of podocyte insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor inhibition
Hurcombe, J. A., Barrington, F., Marchetti, M., Betin, V. M. S., Bowen, E. E., Lay, A. C., Ni, L., Dayalan, L., Pope, R. J. P., Brinkkoetter, P. T., Holzenberger, M., Welsh, G. I. & Coward, R. J. M., 17 May 2024, In: iScience. 27, 5, 109749.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Genetic imputation of kidney transcriptome, proteome and multi-omics illuminates new blood pressure and hypertension targets
Human Kidney Tissue Resource Study Group, Xu, X., Khunsriraksakul, C., Eales, J. M., Rubin, S., Scannali, D., Saluja, S., Talavera, D., Markus, H., Wang, L., Drzal, M., Maan, A., Lay, A. C., Prestes, P. R., Regan, J., Diwadkar, A. R., Denniff, M., Rempega, G., Ryszawy, J. & Król, R. & 19 others, , 19 Mar 2024, In: Nature Communications. 15, 1, 2359.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Profiling of insulin-resistant kidney models and human biopsies reveals common and cell-type-specific mechanisms underpinning Diabetic Kidney Disease
Lay, A. C., Tran, V. D. T., Nair, V., Betin, V., Hurcombe, J. A., Barrington, A. F., Pope, R. J., Burdet, F., Mehl, F., Kryvokhyzha, D., Ahmad, A., Sinton, M. C., Wilson, M. C., Menon, R., Otto, E., Heesom, K. J., Ibberson, M., Looker, H. C., Nelson, R. G. & Ju, W. & 6 others, , 19 Nov 2024, In: Nature Communications.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Projects
- 1 Active
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Defining the causal role of altered cell-type-specific DNA methylation in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Lay, A. (PI)
1/10/23 → 1/07/28
Project: Research