Growing Human Kidneys in a Lab – Scientists Have Made a Significant Breakthrough
In the world, one in nine persons has some form of renal disease, and kidney failure is growing more widespread. It may be possible to speed up the treatment of kidney illness and regain renal function by growing functioning kidney tissue in the lab. Metanephric mesenchyme and the ureteric bud act as the building blocks that cause the kidney to develop normally in humans. Dr. Joseph Bonventre, the founding chief of the Engineering in Medicine Division and head of the Renal Unit. Credit: Brigham and Women's Hospital/Bonventre Lab The first component of a structure, known as metanephric mesenchyme, was created from human stem cells seven years ago in Dr. Joseph Bonventre's lab. The Brigham and Women's Hospital's Chief of the Renal Unit and Founding Chief of the Engineering in Medicine Division is Dr. Bonventre. The second component (ureteric bud), which develops into the adult kidney collecting system, is produced by the same team in a highly effective manner. Additionall...