Creating a model of kidney filtration using advanced technology
Official title: Design of the Glomerulus and bOwman cApsuLe on a chip (GOAL)
Funded at Upstate Medical University · NIH-10810038 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a tiny model of the kidney to help researchers understand how it works and what goes wrong in chronic kidney disease, so they can learn more about how to support kidney health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Upstate Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $434,950 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DK136083-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10810038 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with chronic kidney disease or genetic glomerular disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute kidney injury not related to glomerular dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a microfluidic model that mimics the kidney's glomerular filtration process, which is crucial for understanding chronic kidney disease. By using advanced techniques like multiphoton laser ablation and 3D printing, the researchers aim to recreate the complex architecture of glomeruli and populate it with specialized kidney cells. The model will be tested to see how well it supports cell growth and differentiation, as well as its ability to filter fluids under realistic conditions. This innovative approach could provide insights into kidney function and disease mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for chronic kidney disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using microfluidic models to study kidney function, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krendel, Mira — Upstate Medical University
- Study coordinator: Krendel, Mira
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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.