Researchers create a 'living kidney membrane'
Researchers at the MIRA research institute of the University of Twente and the Radboudumc have created a 'living membrane' combining kidney epithelial cells with a polymeric artificial membrane. This achievement is a first but significant step towards development a new treatment for kidney patients. This research, which started within the BMM - BioKid project (2009-2014), it is currently continued within the EU Marie Curie ITN project 'Bioart'. The aim is achieving improved dialysis techniques and possibly leading to development of a portable kidney, or even an implantable artificial kidney. This collaborative research, of the groups of Prof. Dr. D. Stamatialis in MIRA and Dr R. Masereeuw at Radboudumc, has been published in the scientific journal Acta Biomaterialia.