RESEARCH

Our lab is part of a consortium working to develop a functioning human kidney. Members of this consortium include investigators in the School of Pharmacy as well as Departments of Medicine and Bioengineering. The platform for this microphysiological device was developed by Nortis Inc., a UW start-up company. The goal will be to model normal renal function and response to nephrotoxic xenobiotics, incorporating tubular epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and pericytes. Our specific role in this project is development of a proximal tubule utilizing cultures of primary human renal epithelial cells. The ultimate goal will be to integrate a kidney module into a series of organ-on-a-chips, including hepatocytes and enterocytes.

Read more about our upcoming mission to the International Space Station: NASA – Effects of Microgravity on the Structure and Function of Proximal and Distal Tubule MPS

Read more about NCATS’ Tissue Chip for Drug Screening program.

Read the full story covering our “kidney-on-a-chip".

How long can these chips last? 

The Kelly lab has recently been awarded funding by NASA to examine an increased-longevity kidney organ-on-a-chip application, in which these chip devices will be used to model xenobiotic exposure and toxicity up to 6 months. Read more from the full post here