Stefano Da Sacco

~~ About the Lab: Advancing Kidney Regeneration Through Science and Innovation ~~

Dr. Stefano Da Sacco is a research scientist, innovator, and educator at the forefront of kidney regenerative medicine. As an Assistant Professor of Research Urology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and an investigator at The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, he leads a multidisciplinary team focused on unraveling the biology of the glomerulus—the kidney’s essential filtration unit—and creating bioengineered solutions for chronic kidney disease (CKD).

With a PhD from the University of Padua and USC, and advanced postdoctoral training in stem cell biology and pediatric urology, Dr. Da Sacco brings a global perspective and deep expertise to his work. His lab integrates stem cell science, organ-on-chip technologies, and disease modeling to push the boundaries of what’s possible in kidney research.

~~ Research Vision ~~

At the heart of Dr. Da Sacco’s research is a fundamental question: How can we protect and repair the kidney’s filtration barrier to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent kidney disease?

To answer this, his team develops advanced human-relevant platforms that simulate the structure and function of kidney tissue at the cellular and molecular level. These models serve as living testbeds for exploring disease mechanisms, discovering novel biomarkers, and testing potential therapies.

His lab is internationally recognized for its “glomerulus-on-a-chip” platform, a microphysiological system that mimics the specialized architecture and barrier properties of the glomerulus. This innovation allows researchers to observe real-time podocyte behavior, protein leakage, and drug response in a dynamic, patient-relevant context, transforming how we study glomerular diseases such as:
– Membranous Nephropathy
– Alport Syndrome
– Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)

~~ Wilms Tumor and Cancer Stem Cell Research ~~

Dr. Da Sacco’s lab is actively investigating the cellular origins and progression of Wilms tumor, the most common pediatric kidney cancer. His team was among the first to identify and characterize cancer stem-like cells within Wilms tumors, uncovering a rare subpopulation with enhanced self-renewal, tumorigenic potential, and resistance to conventional therapies. By using patient-derived samples and advanced molecular profiling, the lab has delineated key surface markers and transcriptional signatures that distinguish these cells from the tumor bulk. This research provides critical insights into tumor hierarchy and relapse mechanisms, and it paves the way for developing targeted therapies that eliminate cancer stem cells, potentially improving outcomes for children with high-risk or recurrent disease.

~~ Scientific Contributions and Impact ~~

Dr. Da Sacco’s lab was among the first to demonstrate how primary renal progenitors and cells can be harnessed to create functional in vitro kidney models. His work has significantly contributed to our understanding of podocyte injury signaling, including the roles of C3a/C3aR signaling pathways.
Beyond modeling disease, his team has been actively collaborating with numerous laboratories worldwide to explore regenerative and reparative therapies, including mitochondrial transplantation, engineered extracellular vesicles, and biocompatible scaffolds for cell delivery.

~~ Funding ~~

Dr. Da Sacco has received research awards from NIH, ASF, and CIRM and is currently supported by NIH/NIDDK RO1s, a PNRC grant award, and Industry collaborations.

Dr. Da Sacco is a member of several professional societies, including the American Society of Nephrology, the International Society of Glomerular Diseases, The Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium, and ISSNAF. He serves as a reviewer for NIH study sections and the Italian Ministry of Health, among others. He has published extensively in leading scientific journals and is a reviewer for several peer-reviewed publications.

• University Of Padova, Italy — MS — 2006 — Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• University Of Padova/USC, Italy/USC — PhD — 2009 — Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

• Role of CD93 in podocytopathies.
  NEPHCURE/PNRC Grant Award · Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025 · Role: Co-PI
• Mechanisms involved in podocyte damage in Alport Syndrome
  NIH · R01DK133459 · Aug 15, 2022 – May 31, 2027 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Novel mechanisms of glomerular injury in primary membranous nephropathy
  NIH · R01DK123234 · Jul 1, 2020 – Jun 30, 2025 · Role: Principal Investigator

• Glomerulus-on-a-Chip
• Glomerular Filtration Barrier
• Membranous Nephropathy
• Alport Syndrome
• Kidney Progenitors
• Human Kidney Development
• Amniotic fluid Stem Cells
• Wilms Tumor

• Study Offers New Insights Into How the Most Common Kidney Cancer Starts in Kids
• A Closer Look: Why Is Research Essential at a Children’s Hospital?
• Podocyte Protectors: NIH Awards CHLA’s GOFARR Laboratory Additional Grants to Combat Chronic Childhood Kidney Disease
• CHLA Scientists Develop Breakthrough In Vitro Model

• Peti Peterdi, Janos
• Sedrakyan, Sargis
• Gyarmati, Georgina
• Perin Gallandt, Laura
• Chuong, Cheng-Ming
• Petrosyan, Astgik