Cultured kidney cell layer is a step towards improved dialysis
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - 09:30
in Biology & Nature
Researchers in the Netherlands have succeeded in culturing a layer of kidney cells in the lab. These cells maintained their functional properties, and are able to purify blood. The key to this success is a new kind of bioactive synthetic membrane with a structure resembling that of human basement membrane in the kidney. This is a step towards improved kidney dialysis. The ultimate aim of the scientists is to be able to grow whole biological artificial kidneys using autologous cells.