Using an electrical field to protect donated kidneys during transplant
Protection of donor kidney and transplanted graft function by modulating Na/K ATPase activity
This project uses a gentle electric-field technique on donated kidneys to help keep them healthier for people receiving transplants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330494 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will apply a gentle electrical field method called i-SMEF to injured kidney cells, isolated kidneys, and to kidneys used in rat and pig transplant models to see whether it repairs damage from lack of blood flow. They will track energy (ATP) levels, mitochondrial health, sodium-potassium pump function, and inflammatory signals to judge organ health during storage. The team compares treated marginal organs to standard donor kidneys to find out if i-SMEF can make more organs usable. If results look promising in animals, the researchers plan steps toward larger studies and eventual clinical use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with end-stage kidney disease who are waiting for or considering a kidney transplant are the group most likely to benefit from this line of research in the future.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have kidney failure or who need immediate transplant care are unlikely to directly benefit from these preclinical studies right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase the number of usable donor kidneys and improve transplant outcomes by keeping organs healthier during storage and transport.
How similar studies have performed: Early work showed protection in a mouse transplant model, but applying this specific i-SMEF technique to repair marginal organs in larger models and humans is a new step that has not yet been tested clinically.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Ruisheng — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Liu, Ruisheng
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.