Chronic kidney disease is a leading cause of death worldwide that affects >850 million people globally. With kidney donor shortages and kidney transplant complications, we are using human induced pluripotent stem cells to generate kidney tubes (nephrons), critical for performing the kidneys functions. These lab-grown nephrons may help to develop new medications and create artificial kidney tissue that could improve dialysis and alleviate transplant shortages in future.
reNEW research
Dr Jessica Vanslambrouck and her team have developed the most accurate and functional lab-grown nephrons reported to date. We are now further improving the maturation, functionality, and structure of these tiny kidney tissues to apply them to therapeutic outcomes aimed at improving chronic kidney disease outcomes.
Image description
This lab-grown kidney model shows elongated nephrons, stained with markers of different nephron segments that carry out the kidneys’ functions.
Credits
Ker Sin Tan, Research Assistant, Little lab, reNEW Melbourne.
