The kidney’s proximal tubule is the body’s recycling center, recovering nutrients, water, and medicines from filtered blood. It is also one of the kidney regions most vulnerable to toxic damage. We created tiny stem cell-derived kidney spheres called proxiloids that mimic this essential tissue. By studying patient-specific proxiloids, we can uncover disease mechanisms, test treatments faster, and move closer to personalized medicine for kidney disorders.
reNEW research
We develop proxiloids, miniature versions of the kidney’s proximal tubule grown from human stem cells. This lets us zoom in on the kidney region where many genetic, metabolic, and drug-related problems begin. Using patient-derived cells, we investigate disease mechanisms, identify new treatment targets, and rapidly test potential therapies before validating findings in more complex kidney models.
Image description
A kidney proxiloid in cross-section. Blue megalin marks the organized proximal tubule cells, while white highlights their nuclei.
Credits
Sam Biermans, PhD candidate, Rabelink lab, reNEW Leiden.
