Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have become a valuable tool for identifying genetic loci associated with complex traits, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, GWAS have important limitations in establishing direct causal links between genetic loci and biological phenotypes or with providing insights into biological pathways. A recent study by Loeb et al,1 published in Nature Genetics, represents a pioneering advancement, addressing critical gaps in prior GWAS investigations and offering new methods for connecting genes identified by GWAS to their functional relevance in kidney disease.