Bioprinted Kidneys Could End the Organ Donor Crisis—Here's How
Bioengineers at Rice University are developing bioprinted kidney tissues to tackle the critical shortage of organ donors in the US. Led by Dr. Antonios Mikos, the project aims to produce customized tissues using a patient's own cells, potentially eliminating the need for immunosuppressive drugs.
The initiative is part of ARPA-H's PRINT program, which has allocated up to $24.8 million over five years. Dr. Mikos and his team at the Biomaterials Lab are working to create a library of adaptable bioinks—materials essential for maintaining cell health and enabling blood vessel formation in the printed tissues.
Collaboration plays a key role in the project. Partners include the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the company PrintBio Inc. Together, they aim to produce vascularized kidney tissues that can improve renal function for patients with chronic kidney disease.
Beyond research, the team is focused on scaling up production. Their goal is to establish a commercial pathway for manufacturing and distributing personalized bioprinted organs. Dr. Mikos has highlighted the need for expertise from various fields to address the complexities of kidney disease effectively.
The project could transform treatment for kidney patients by offering on-demand, tailored tissues. With ARPA-H's funding and cross-disciplinary collaboration, the team is moving closer to a scalable solution for organ shortages. Success would reduce reliance on donors and improve long-term outcomes for those with kidney failure.
Read also:
- India's Agriculture Minister Reviews Sector Progress Amid Heavy Rains, Crop Areas Up
- Sleep Maxxing Trends and Tips: New Zealanders Seek Better Rest
- Over 1.7M in Baden-Württemberg at Poverty Risk, Emmendingen's Housing Crisis Urgent
- Cyprus, Kuwait Strengthen Strategic Partnership with Upcoming Ministerial Meeting
