Overview: Family Investigation of Nephropathy and Diabetes (FIND) was a multicentre observational study of multi-ethnic participants recruited from 11 centres across the USA between 1999 and 2004. Data were collected until 2007. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to identify genetic determinants of diabetic kidney disease.

Objectives: The primary aim of the FIND study was to identify genes responsible for diabetic nephropathy and whether these genes exhibit linkage relationships to nephropathy. A secondary aim was to use environmental data as a guide for determining possible risk factor effects on genetic susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy. As part of FIND, a biobank was created to store biological samples collected from participants for use in future studies related to diabetes and kidney diseases.

Progress: Data collection for the FIND study was completed in 2007. With these data, several genes associated with diabetic nephropathy, albuminuria, and GFR were identified. Notably, MYH9 was found to be associated with nondiabetic end-stage renal disease in African Americans.