The Kidney Project

The Kidney Project seeks to develop a bioartificial kidney as a compact, surgically implanted, free-standing device to treat end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The bioartificial kidney seeks to perform the vast majority of the biological functions of the natural kidney.

The bioartificial kidney is composed of two components: a hemofilter and a bioreactor. For the hemofilter, the lab is using MEMS technology in the production of silicon nanopore membranes (SNMs) which will perform filtration using the body’s blood pressure. (Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology was originally applied to electronics and automotive industries to create smaller, faster, more cost-effective parts for improved overall function.) The bioreactor will reabsorb a high volume of salt and water while maintaining a barrier to the reabsorption of toxins. To do this, the lab is using tissue engineering techniques to grow and maintain renal tubules that will be seeded into this portion of the device.

Learn more at The Kidney Project