Wearable Artificial Kidney
Wearable artificial kidney devices are designed for people with end-stage renal disease who require dialysis. It is expected to help improve the quality of life by enabling to freely move without staying at the dialysis room for 4 hours 3 times a week. Ion concentration polarization, one of the latest technologies, would be applied to develop this new device. Portable artificial kidneys will bring a life-changing experience in treating the patients with end-stage renal disease.
Chips for Three-dimensional Micro-glomerular Structure Reproduction
The glomerulus, an important unit in the kidneys, consists of a complex structure made up of various cells. The Institute develops organoids that can simulate multicellular microenvironments and biological functions through 3D micro-glomerular devices.
Precision Medicine for Patients with Renal Disease
The Institute aims to identify biomarkers that can predict disease activity and prognosis and treat diseases by finding relevant genes. The Institute has acquired and analyzed glomerular and tubular cDNA samples from percutaneous renal tissue specimens to conduct genome research.
Inhibition of Kidney Fibrosis to Preserve Renal Function
One of the research interests of the Institute is to find methods to inhibit the progression of chronic kidney disease. Various kidney diseases eventually develop renal fibrosis, which leads to degradation of the renal function and to end stage renal failure. The Institute focuses on the development of preventive or therapeutic agents for the progression of kidney fibrosis.