Bioengineering a Kidney - A Brief Review

Abstract

Kidney disease is a significant health concern for millions of individuals in the United States, with its pervasiveness expected to increase due to the rising rates of high blood pressure and diabetes. Traditional transplantation is limited in quantity and ease, prompting biomedical engineers to focus on providing more solutions. Stem cells, particularly iPSCs, offer the potential to create more immunologically compatible kidneys. Moreover, portable dialysis machines hold promise in improving the ease and comfortability of treatment. These solutions may offer hope for end-stage kidney disease patients, underscoring the urgency of current bioengineering efforts.