Overview

Prof. Bingham joined Professor Hattersley’s team in 1999 as a research registrar. She was supervised by Professor Hattersley and was awarded a Kidney Research UK research fellowship in 2000. She was awarded her PhD from the University of Exeter in 2003. She was appointed to the NHS post of consultant in renal medicine on the Exeter Kidney Unit in 2004. She is the academic lead on the Kidney Unit and has remained part of Professor Hattersley’s team as the renal lead. She is currently jointly supervising 3 research doctors, 1 academic clinical fellow and 2 full-time research fellows who are working on a wide range of projects related to genetic renal disease and diabetes.

Qualifications

• BM BCh
• FRCP
• PhD

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Research

Research interests

Prof. Bingham defined the HNF-1B renal phenotype including the description of the renal cysts and diabetes (RCAD) syndrome during her KRUK fellowship. Since the initial description she has been involved with a wide range of studies related to HNF-1B including a number of collaborations. The team in Exeter is regarded as a world leader in HNF-1B research. The MRC are funding a research fellowship to gather long term data on the UK HNF-1B cohort and to study new aspects of the phenotype, in particular autism spectrum disorder. Prof. Bingham is also interested in using new genetic techniques to define regulatory and non-coding HNF-1B mutations and to identify novel genes involved in the development of the kidney.

She is currently involved with defining a genetic basis for an autosomal dominant form of renal Fanconi’s syndrome.

She has an interest in atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome in collaborative projects with Newcastle. She has been involved with the clinical trials of eculizumab, a new treatment for this disorder.

Research projects

• The HNF-1B phenotype and the RCAD syndrome
• The genetics of renal developmental disease
• Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome in Devon
• Genetic causes for renal Fanconi’s syndrome

Grants/Funding

• DUK training fellowship (3 years) awarded to Dr R Oram 2011 (supervisor to this project)
• HNF1B group co-ordinator for RaDaR 2011 (£15,000 Kidney Research UK/British Kidney Patient Association)
• MRC training fellowship (3 years) awarded to Dr R Clissold 2012 (supervisor to this project)

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External Engagement and Impact

Committee/panel activities

HNF-1B group co-ordinator for the renal rare disease project (RaDaR)

Member of cystic kidney disease research group for the UK Renal Association

Medical advisor for the Northcott Devon Medical Foundation

Invited lectures

The renal disease associated with mutations in the HNF-1B gene. 5th International course on Genetics and Renal Disease, Genoa, 2009

Pleiotropic phenotypes result from mutations in the transcription factor HNF1B. World Congress of Nephrology, Vancouver, 2011.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-1beta: An important gene in renal disease. KRUK Fellows Day, 2011

The nephropathies associated with mutations in the HNF1B gene. Sheffield Kidney Institute academic meeting, 2012.

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Teaching

Undergraduate

• Small group teaching on fluids and electrolytes to year 3 students
• Teaching on clinical pathway weeks for year 4 students on the kidney unit
• Academic tutor to 2 year 3 students

Postgraduate

• Teaching of inherited kidney disease to core medical trainees
• Teaching on rare renal genetic disorders to renal specialist trainees

Teaching to specialist genetic diabetes nurses about HNF-1B

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