Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
10:23
Isogenic Kidney Glomerulus Chip Engineered from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: November 4, 2022
3.7K
Organ-on-a-chip and the kidney
Sejoong Kim1, Shuichi Takayama2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA ; Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
|October 21, 2015
Summary
Microfluidics technology enables the creation of kidneys-on-a-chip, offering a promising alternative to traditional studies. This organ-on-a-chip approach aims to improve understanding of kidney pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Traditional pathophysiology studies face limitations due to the complexity of biological systems.
- Microfluidics offers innovative solutions for handling biological systems at a small scale.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the application of microfluidics in creating organ-on-a-chip models, specifically kidneys-on-a-chip.
- To highlight the potential of kidneys-on-a-chip to advance nephrology research.
Main Methods:
- Integration of renal tubular cells with microfluidic devices.
- Development of organ-on-a-chip systems for simulating kidney functions.
Main Results:
- Kidneys-on-a-chip are emerging as a viable model for studying kidney pathophysiology.
- This technology shows potential to reduce reliance on traditional animal and human studies.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidics-based kidneys-on-a-chip represent an early but promising advancement in nephrology.
- Further development, including the incorporation of more cell types for glomeruli-on-a-chip, is anticipated.
Related Concept Videos
01:45Kidney Structure
76.7K
The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.
76.7K
01:20Renal Corpuscle
9.0K
The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous...
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous...
9.0K
01:21External Anatomy of the Kidney
4.7K
The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs in the human body that play a critical role in maintaining overall health. They filter out waste products from the blood, regulate blood pressure, maintain electrolyte balance, and stimulate the production of red blood cells.
The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space on either side of the vertebral column, protected posteriorly by the 11th and 12th ribs. The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left owing to the presence of the liver...
The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space on either side of the vertebral column, protected posteriorly by the 11th and 12th ribs. The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left owing to the presence of the liver...
4.7K
01:12Internal Anatomy of the Kidney
8.8K
The kidneys are essential organs in the human body, performing a myriad of tasks that maintain homeostasis and overall health.
Anatomical Position and Dimensions
The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs positioned against the posterior abdominal wall on either side of the spine, roughly between the twelfth thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae. Each kidney is typically 10-12 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, and 3-4 cm thick, weighing about 150 grams.
Renal Cortex
The outermost region of the kidney is the...
Anatomical Position and Dimensions
The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs positioned against the posterior abdominal wall on either side of the spine, roughly between the twelfth thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae. Each kidney is typically 10-12 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, and 3-4 cm thick, weighing about 150 grams.
Renal Cortex
The outermost region of the kidney is the...
8.8K
01:28Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
702
A kidney transplant is a surgical approach that involves replacing a non-functioning kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is often a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The method requires careful recipient selection, including evaluating various medical and psychosocial factors. These criteria vary between transplant centers but generally include assessments of the patient's overall health, adherence to medical recommendations, and lifestyle...
702