Kidney modeling and systems physiology

We present an overview of currently available resources in renal systems physiology and indicate directions for development toward the renal physiome. After a brief resumé of objectives, we summarize legacy-modeling studies that can serve as the foundation for a more complete toolset. These include detailed models of practically all renal cell types and nephron segments and a variety of models of nephro-vascular exchanges in the medulla, of renal hemodynamics, and studies of tubuloglomerular feedback and autoregulation. Recent detailed anatomical reconstructions have brought surprising new results to bear on classic unsolved problems. In parallel with the modeling environment, progress has been made toward the quantitative database and model repository resources that must accompany the modeling environment in order to attain the goal of an open-ended, flexible, and collaborative infrastructure for renal systems biology, with an indication of prospects for integration with initiatives in the larger IUPS Physiome Project.