The team at The Kidney Project is working to revolutionize kidney failure treatment by developing an implantable bioartificial kidney. Frustrated by the limits of dialysis and transplants, they harness nanotechnology and tissue engineering to create a self-regulating, surgically implanted alternative. Early animal studies show promising results, and the team is hopeful for future human trials. Through their innovation, they aim to inspire the kidney community and advocate for more advanced treatment options.
We are The Kidney Project. We are a US-based national research project with a goal to create a small, surgically implanted bioartificial kidney to treat kidney failure. Every year, we join countless others in celebrating World Kidney Day because we recognize the critical need for ongoing kidney health conversations across the world.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, almost 10% of the world’s population is affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). Millions of people do not have access to affordable treatment, and those who have progressed to kidney failure, have two options, dialysis or kidney transplantation. Dialysis changes one’s quality of life and patients usually experience a variety of physical side effects, such as low blood pressure, fatigue, muscle cramps, among many other uncomfortable physical symptoms. Kidney transplants also have several challenges, foremost is the fact that majority of the time, patients are placed on very long waiting lists for a compatible donor kidney. Further, kidney transplant patients must take anti-rejection medications for the rest of their life.
Our team hopes to change the face of kidney failure treatment by creating an implantable bioartificial kidney that will be a solution to the shortage of compatible donor kidneys, and has technology designed within the device, so that patients will not need anti-rejection medications.
Here is our story :
The implantable bioartificial kidney is a device with two components. The first component is the membrane hemofilter. The second is the cell bioreactor. When the hemofilter and the bioreactor work together, it recreates the metabolic, endocrine, and immunological functions of a healthy kidney.
| Kidney filtration is the process where our natural kidneys clean or filter our blood by removing waste and excess water and turning it into urine. | The hemofilter performs this filtration function through the use of semiconductor silicon components, the same tiny mechanical machines that you can find inside electronic devices, such as smart phones and computers. |
The silicon hemofilter is thin enough, that the body’s blood pressure is able to move the blood through the device without need of either pumps or a power supply.
Inside the bioreactor, are renal or kidney cells. The bioreactor performs other kinds of kidney functions such as salt and water reabsorption, autoregulation of blood pressure. and production of vitamin D.
Where do we stand today ?
Currently (2024), while we have not yet begun clinical trials, we have shown that the main functional components of the device (the hemofilter and the bioreactor) work together as intended in animals using small-scale prototypes. This gives us confidence that it will work in humans once the device is scaled up with enough capacity.
Meanwhile, we are joining the voices of the larger kidney community as we add our expertise and passions in changing how the world sees and treats kidney care for all. We share our story in a bid to encourage others in our wide community of followers to continue to speak up and raise awareness about the importance of talking about kidney health, and to raise the voices of projects like ours.
Disclaimer: The blog series is intended for informational purposes only and is not meant to endorse or promote any specific drug, product, or brand. Each individual’s experience is unique and should not be construed as medical advice or a guarantee of similar results for others. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding your health and well-being.
