Novel insights into the regulation of systemic phosphate homeostasis and renal phosphate excretion

The Journal of Nephrology now features a new section called "Scanned from the bench," highlighting recent findings from the basic research with potential or immediate consequences for the field of nephrology. The editorial board of the Journal recognizes the importance of basic research and its translation from the laboratory to the clinical setting as early as possible to test its applicability for the diagnosis and clinical care. Ideally this is not just a one-way road, and clinical send their responses back to the lab where new hypothesis can be examined first in vitro or in animal models. This dialogue between basic scientists and physicians is critical for the future development of academic nephrology. However, beyond this immediate application, knowledge of basic principles of physiology and pathophysiology underlying renal function and kidney disease is certainly also of prime importance for physicians when rationalizing diagnosis and devising drugs or other treatments. It is our hope that this section will contribute to building and strengthening the necessary bridges between laboratory science and clinical nephrology.