Researchers from Kyoto University have succeeded in growing human kidney tissue from induced pluripotent stem cells in the lab. The resulting embryological tissue, known as intermediate mesoderm tissue, has the potential to develop into cells of the adrenal and reproductive glands and the kidney. During their experiments, the scientists also grew part of a urinary tubule. The breakthrough represents the first step in learning how to harness the potential of stem cells to grow viable kidney tissue that could perhaps one day be used to regenerate ailing kidneys.
Source:
Japan Researchers Say Kidney Tissue Grown from Stem Cells, Medical Xpress, January 23, 2013