Kidney failure affects millions worldwide and occurs when the kidneys can no longer filter blood effectively. Patients require dialysis to filter their waste while waiting for a transplant. Unfortunately, dialysis cannot fully replicate healthy kidney function and significantly reduces quality of life. Our research aims to grow functional kidney tissue by developing mature nephrons, the tiny structures in the kidney responsible for filtering waste, with the goal of restoring kidney function and providing an alternative to dialysis.
reNEW research
These kidney tissues are grown from stem cells and develop into specialised kidney cell types. We examine how these structures form to understand how to mature them into functional adult nephrons. We use this information to identify the signals and conditions that promote kidney maturation, enabling us to refine methods to grow functional kidney tissue. By understanding how this develops and matures, we aim to advance stem cell-based therapies to restore kidney function and improve the lives of people living with kidney failure.
Image description
This image resembles a vibrant underwater garden, where tiny kidneys bloom beneath the microscope.
Credits
Dr. Allara Zylberberg, Postdoctoral Researcher, Little lab, reNEW Melbourne.
