AUSTRALIAN researchers have grown mini-kidneys from stem cells in a breakthrough that could allow scientists to use mini-organs to test new drugs to treat kidney disease and even engineer replacement kidneys for people with kidney failure.
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and University of Queensland researchers grew the first mini-kidney in a dish in 2013.
"The first mini-kidney we grew only contained two cell types," researcher Professor Melissa Little said.
"But the team have now grown an organ that forms all the cell types normally present in the human kidney."
The new method allows researchers to make a miniature model kidney from any person, starting with cells such as skin or blood.
By adding different concentrations of growth factors at various times, the team was able to guide the formation of the mini organ in a process that mimics normal development.
The organ produced is similar to the kidney of a developing foetus.
"The mini-kidney we have been able to grow this time is very complex and more like the real organ," Professor Little said.
"This is important for drug testing as we hope these mini-kidneys will respond to the drugs as a normal organ might.
"Creating a model kidney containing many different kidney cell types also opens the door for cell therapy and even bioengineering of replacement kidneys.
"One day this may mean new treatment for patients with kidney failure.
"Making stem cells from patients with kidney disease, and then growing a mini-kidney that matches the patient, will help us understand that patient's disease and develop treatments for them."
