Longer preservation of donor kidneys for infants and young children using nanowarming and vitrification
Neonatal and Young Pediatric Kidney Preservation through Nanowarming and Vitrification
This project uses a special freeze-and-nanowarm method to keep donor kidneys usable longer so infants and young children can get better matches.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Expanse Bio LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (North Charleston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11134587 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or your child needs a kidney, this project works on freezing donor kidneys with protective chemicals (vitrification) and tiny iron nanoparticles that are heated by radio waves (nanowarming) to avoid ice damage during thawing. That could let kidneys be stored longer and shipped farther so babies and small children can wait for better size and immune matches nationwide. The team builds on earlier lab and Phase I results and is working to scale the approach to whole human kidneys. Longer preservation may also enable future approaches that reduce or avoid lifelong anti-rejection drugs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Infants and young children on the kidney transplant waitlist—especially those who face high discard rates due to size and timing—are the primary candidates who could benefit.
Not a fit: People needing immediate living-donor transplants or those not relying on deceased-donor kidney logistics may not see direct benefit from this preservation technology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could increase the number of usable donor kidneys for infants and small children, reduce organ discard, and improve transplant timing and matching.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier lab and early-phase work with nanowarming and vitrification has shown promising results for tissues and small organs, but reliable whole-human kidney use remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
North Charleston, United States
- Expanse Bio LLC — North Charleston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weegman, Bradley P — Expanse Bio LLC
- Study coordinator: Weegman, Bradley P
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.