Creating Lab-Grown Kidneys for Transplant
Application of Progenitor Niche Signals to Ex Vivo Nephrogenesis
This research aims to develop new ways to grow functional kidney tissue from human cells in the lab to help people waiting for a kidney transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rogosin Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137012 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people are waiting for a kidney transplant, but there aren't enough donor kidneys available. This project focuses on growing tiny kidney-like structures, called organoids, from human stem cells in the lab. While we can already create these mini-kidneys, the challenge is making them fully connect and work properly with the body if they were to be transplanted. Our team is working to overcome obstacles like ensuring the lab-grown kidney tissue has the right organization, can connect its tubes and blood vessels to the body, and that we have good ways to measure if it's working.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for patients with kidney failure who are candidates for or awaiting a kidney transplant.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have kidney failure or are not candidates for kidney replacement therapy would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new sources of functional kidney tissue, potentially reducing the long waitlist for kidney transplants.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have successfully created complex kidney organoids from human cells, but integrating them functionally with host tissue remains a novel and untested challenge.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Rogosin Institute — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oxburgh, Leif — Rogosin Institute
- Study coordinator: Oxburgh, Leif
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.