NIDDK and ISAC Kidney Engineering

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is planning a workshop series in collaboration with the Innovative Science Accelerator Program (ISAC) on groundbreaking approaches to engineer replacement kidneys.

The goals for these virtual workshops are to spotlight emerging research, spark innovative ideas, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, engage researchers and the community, and identify tools that can catalyze research and development. Session details, including dates, times, and logistical information, are provided below.

Executive summaries and recordings will be available shortly after each session.
  • Contacts
  • Related Programs
  • Session 1
  • Session 2
  • Session 3

ISAC Contacts:

Richard McIndoe, Ph.D., Augusta University
Christine Maric-Bilkan, Ph.D.: Profile
Chris Ketchum, Ph.D.: Profile

NIDDK Workshop Contacts:

Eric Brunskill, Ph.D.: Profile
Danny Gossett, Ph.D.: Profile

Related Programs:

Organizers:

  • Stephen R. Ash, MD, FACP, HemoCleanse Technologies, LLC and Ash Access Technology
  • Hatim Hassan, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic
  • Jamie Hestekin, PhD, University of Arkansas
  • Alex Hughes, PhD, University of Pennsylvania
  • Rachel Lennon, BMedSci, BMBS, PhD, University of Manchester
  • Celeste M. Nelson, PhD, Princeton University
  • Mari Winkler, PhD, University of Washington

Session 1: "Engineering and Biology Solutions to Achieve Tubular Functions"

May 10th, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET

This session examines various approaches (mechanical, physiochemical, acellular, cellular) to replicate homeostasis by engineering kidney tubules.

Organizers:

  • Celeste M. Nelson, PhD, Princeton University
  • Alex Hughes, PhD, University of Pennsylvania

Purpose

  1. Gather creative experts to address kidney failure by replacing kidney functions.
  2. Promote cross-disciplinary ideas for transformative kidney solutions beyond dialysis.

Agenda:

1:00 - 1:10 Introduction (Eric Brunskill, Danny Gossett, Alex Hughes, Celeste Nelson)
1:10 - 1:30 Plenary Speaker #1
Juan Alvarez, PhD, University of Pennsylvania:
Lessons from Translation: Perspectives from Pancreas Engineering
(15 min presentation & 5 min Q/A)
1:30 - 1:50 Plenary Speaker #2
Nuria Montserrat, PhD, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia:
Where organoids are stuck?
(15 min presentation & 5 min Q/A)
Brief Talks (7 min presentations & 3 min Q/A): Snapshots of novel concepts for breakout discussion.
1:50 - 2:00 Scott Wiener, MD, SUNY Upstate Medical University:
From Ancient Blueprint to Modern Marvel: Evolutionary Insights into Engineering an Artificial Kidney
2:00 - 2:10 Zhongwei Li, PhD, University of Southern California:
Leveraging self-organization of kidney progenitor cells for functional maturation of synthetic kidneys
2:10 - 2:20 Quinton Smith, PhD, UC Irvine:
Constructing epithelial trees: Lessons from the biliary tree and liver tissue
2:20 - 2:30 Kayla Wolf, PhD, Harvard University:
Measuring tubular functions in a 3D kidney tubule model
2:30 - 2:40 Arohan R. Subramanya, MD, FASN, University of Pittsburgh:
A nephrologist's/renal physiologist's perspective on what we need to build
2:40 - 3:10 Breakout Group Discussions (30 minutes)
3:10 - 3:20 Break
3:20 - 3:50 Breakout Group Summaries (30 minutes)
3:50 - 3:55 Closing (5 minutes)

Breakout Group Questions

Suggested discussion topics include:
  1. How do we evaluate the function of an engineered tube? Are new assays needed?
  2. What essential biological features are required for a functional kidney tubule?
  3. What mysteries remain in kidney tubule composition, and might new cells be discovered via single-cell and spatial transcriptomics?
  4. Should differences between mouse and human kidneys affect our designs?
  5. How biological (cellular) does a kidney tubule need to be?
  6. What is necessary to engineer to replace kidney tubule function?
  7. Comparing fabrication approaches: How can top‑down 3D printing and bottom‑up organoid methods be integrated for enhanced design?
  8. How can we approach engineering when developmental pathways (Wnt, FGF, TGF‑beta/BMP) are context‑dependent?
  9. How can we distinguish cell‑autonomous from non‑autonomous drivers of development?

Session 2: Advancing Uremic Toxin Removal – Merging Chemistry and Microbiology to Enhance Purification Solutions

June 21, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:05 PM ET

This session explores leveraging chemistry, microbiology, and other approaches to enhance blood purification.

Organizers:

  • Stephen R. Ash, MD, FACP, HemoCleanse Technologies, LLC and Ash Access Technology
  • Hatim Hassan, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic
  • Mari Winkler, PhD, University of Washington

Purpose

  1. Assemble creative experts to address end‑stage renal disease by replacing kidney functions, focusing on uremic toxin removal.
  2. Promote cross‑disciplinary ideas for transformative solutions beyond dialysis.

Draft Agenda/Outline:

1:00 - 1:05 Introduction (Eric Brunskill, Danny Gossett, Stephen Ash, Mari Winkler, Hatim Hassan)
1:05 - 1:25 Plenary Speaker #1
Stephen R. Ash, MD, FACP, HemoCleanse Technologies, LLC and Ash Access Technology:
Introduction to uremic toxins and strategies for their removal (15/5 QA)
1:25 - 1:40 Plenary Speaker #2
Mari Winkler, PhD, University of Washington:
How effective is gut-based removal of uremic toxins? (10/5 QA)
1:40 - 1:55 Plenary Speaker #3
Hatim Hassan, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic:
"Oxalate and other considerations" (10/5 QA)
Brief Talks (10 min presentations & 3 min Q/A): Introducing novel concepts and recent advances.
1:55 - 2:08 Christian Bluechel, Nextkidney:
Novel sorbents to regenerate spent dialysate
2:08 - 2:21 Karin Gerritsen, UMC Utrecht:
New strategies to remove uremic toxins
2:21 - 2:34 Tammy Sirich, MD, Stanford University:
Removal of protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUT)
2:34 - 2:47 Glenda Roberts, University of Washington, Center for Dialysis Innovation:
The importance of patients on design teams
2:47 - 2:55 Break
2:55 - 3:45 Breakout Group Discussions (50 minutes)
3:45 - 4:00 Breakout Group Feedback summaries (15 minutes)
4:00 - 4:05 Closing (5 minutes)

Breakout Group Questions

Suggested discussion topics include:
  1. How do we evaluate the function of an engineered tube? Are new assays needed?
  2. What essential biological features are required for a functional kidney tubule?
  3. What mysteries remain in kidney tubule composition, and might new cells be discovered via single-cell and spatial transcriptomics?
  4. Should differences between mouse and human kidneys affect our designs?
  5. How biological (cellular) does a kidney tubule need to be?
  6. What is necessary to engineer to replace kidney tubule function?
  7. Comparing fabrication approaches: How can top‑down 3D printing and bottom‑up organoid methods be integrated for enhanced design?
  8. How can we approach engineering when developmental pathways (Wnt, FGF, TGF‑beta/BMP) are context‑dependent?
  9. How can we distinguish cell‑autonomous from non‑autonomous drivers of development?

Session 3: Innovations in Designing Artificial Glomeruli and Filtration Systems for the Kidney

July 26, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET

This session explores new approaches in kidney filtration system design.

Organizer:

  • Jamie Hestekin, PhD, University of Arkansas

Purpose

  1. Gather creative experts to address end‑stage renal disease by focusing on filtration and glomerular function.
  2. Foster interdisciplinary collaboration for transformative kidney replacement solutions beyond dialysis.

Draft Agenda/Outline:

1:00 - 1:10 Introduction (Eric Brunskill, Danny Gossett, Jamie Hestekin)
1:10 - 1:40 Plenary Speaker (20 min/10 QA)
Linus Butt, MD, University of Cologne:
Modeling glomerular filtration
Brief Talks
1:40 - 1:50 Jamie Hestekin, PhD, University of Arkansas:
Electrodeionization
Brief Talks (10 min presentations & 3 min QA): Snapshot of novel concepts.
1:50 - 2:00 Mira Krendel, PhD, SUNY Upstate Medical University:
Focus on podocytes – specialized epithelial cells of the glomerular filter
2:00 - 2:10 Dean Johnson, PhD, University of Rochester Medical Center:
Specifications for membranes
2:10 - 2:20 Nick Ferrell, PhD, Ohio State University Medical Center:
In Vitro Models to Evaluate Molecular Permeability of the Kidney Filtration Barrier
2:20 - 2:30 Break
2:30 - 3:15 Breakout Group Discussions (45 minutes)
3:15 - 3:45 Reconvene for Breakout Group Feedback summaries (30 minutes)
3:45 - 4:00 Closing (15 minutes)

Breakout Group Questions

Please review these questions in advance. They serve as potential discussion topics – breakout groups need not cover every question.
  • Technology:
    • What fundamental enabling technologies are needed for next-generation filtration?
    • Where can advances in materials science and nanotechnology improve filter efficiency and biocompatibility?
    • How can new filter designs mitigate immune responses and clotting?
    • What strategies best mimic the selective permeability of the glomerulus?
  • Modeling:
    • Are there computational models to predict new filter performance?
    • What experimental systems best validate filtration modeling?
  • Innovation, Technology Development, and Collaboration:
    • How can interdisciplinary collaboration accelerate innovative kidney replacement solutions?
    • How can patient-specific data tailor kidney replacement filters?
    • How can patient feedback be integrated into the design process?

The ISAC Newsletter

Sign Up for our newsletter to get the latest news, update and funding opportunities delivered directly in your inbox.
isac-logo
Navigation
Home Awardees NIDDK
Funding Events Contact
© 2021 Augusta University. All rights reserved.

×