An international study led by University of Alberta researchers links poor health in the womb and in early childhood with an increased risk of premature high blood pressure, kidney disease, and heart disease. Babies who do not develop properly in the womb may be born with smaller kidneys with fewer nephrons for filtering. Under-developed kidneys … Continue reading Poor Maternal and Child Health Linked to Kidney Disease
Bioengineered Vein Implanted into First U.S. Dialysis Patient
In a pioneering breakthrough, Duke University Hospital surgeons have implanted a bioengineered vein into a 62-year-old kidney dialysis patient as part of a U.S. clinical trial. The vein, created by Duke and bioengineering company Humacyte, was grown on a biodegradable mesh scaffold using human cells. Nutrients were pumped rhythmically into the vessel-shaped scaffold to simulate … Continue reading Bioengineered Vein Implanted into First U.S. Dialysis Patient
Reprogrammed Kidney Cells May One Day Repair Damaged Organs
The nephrons are the key filtering units of the kidneys. The amount of nephrons we’re born with turns out to be a very important number for kidney health. We can’t grow more after birth and those people born with substantially fewer nephrons are at a higher risk of developing blood pressure and kidney problems later … Continue reading Reprogrammed Kidney Cells May One Day Repair Damaged Organs