Using Human Organoids to Model Kidney Disease

Acute kidney injury, characterized by a sudden decline in kidney function, can lead to long-term kidney problems. Due to the lack of effective therapies, some individuals may progress to end-stage renal disease, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant to live. This thesis pioneers the development of lab-grown human mini-kidneys to study the underlying causes of acute kidney injury and test potential therapies. Through genome editing, the research provides in-depth insights into two key regulators involved in kidney disease, yielding groundbreaking findings. Additionally, the thesis introduces a novel method that extends the lifespan of these mini-kidneys from one month to over six months, significantly enhancing their usefulness for long-term studies.