WFIRM Director Anthony Atala, MD, and the institute’s kidney research team have been awarded the KidneyX Track 2 $1 Million Prize for work based on a 3D kidney construct platform, an innovation that holds potential to accelerate the regeneration of artificial kidneys. Atala’s team has been working to create 3D vascularized platforms that could be used for kidney tissue. By replicating the intricate structure and function of the natural kidney, this technology enables accelerated integration of blood vessels, which is an essential step for successful transplants. Team members on the project include John Jackson, PhD; Young Min Ju, PhD; Ji Hyun Kim, PhD; and James Yoo, MD, PhD.
“This recognition reflects our team’s goal of transforming the lives of individuals suffering from kidney diseases,” Atala said. “We believe the 3D biomimetic kidney construct platform can play a role in advancing the field of artificial kidneys.”
The prize will further support the research by helping researchers translate their findings into clinical applications. The goal is to provide patients with end-stage kidney disease a transformative treatment option that will reduce their suffering and enhance their quality of life. Prize recipients were judged on functionality replication, level of innovation, proof of concept, and development progress and planning.
The 3D kidney construct platform developed at WFIRM combines state-of-the-art bioengineering techniques, including 3D printing and tissue engineering, to create an organ-like structure that closely mimics the complexity of a natural kidney. The technology has shown promising results in preclinical studies.
KidneyX is a public-private partnership between the American Society of Nephrology and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that works to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative solutions to kidney diseases.