A synthetic kidney grown inside the body to replace failed kidneys
The Synthetic Kidney: A Revolutionary Solution for the Shortage of Kidneys for Transplantation
Researchers are building engineered kidneys from progenitor cells to implant into adults with end-stage kidney failure so the new organ can grow, form blood vessels, and help filter the blood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11070130 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team makes a "synthetic kidney" by combining kidney progenitor cells to form a structure similar to an embryonic kidney. That engineered organ would be transplanted into the abdomen of a recipient where it is intended to continue developing, vascularize, and mature in place through natural organogenesis. The work builds on prior methods to produce large numbers of high-quality nephron progenitor cells and will refine the cell sources, scaffolds, and transplantation techniques. Early phases focus on testing growth, integration, and function in preclinical models with the goal of moving toward human use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with end-stage renal disease (kidney failure) who are on dialysis or who cannot receive a standard donor kidney would be the likely candidates.
Not a fit: People with mild or early-stage kidney disease, most children, or patients whose health prevents abdominal implantation or immunosuppression are unlikely to benefit from this early-stage approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a new source of transplantable kidneys and reduce or eliminate the need for long-term dialysis and donor organs.
How similar studies have performed: This is a novel approach: lab-grown kidney organoids and animal transplant experiments have shown promise but there is not yet proven success in human patients.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Zhongwei — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Li, Zhongwei
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.