In 2008, USC broke ground on an $80 million building dedicated solely to stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Now we are seeking the impact of the research.

Researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC may have the answer to the kidney shortage with a new method to creating stem cell kidneys ready for transplant.

In terms of making a functional kidney, researchers around the world generally use a special type of stem cell to develop a small kidney for research; it works for modeling the kidney, but it's not effective for making one. USC's team is now trying to recreate what happens in the developing fetus when early cells interact during the initial steps of developing a kidney.

"I think that we have a system here which could be the first system that we do synthesize a new organ," said Dr. Andy McMahon, Keck School of Medicine of USC.

To be clear: The goal for the team of researchers is to synthesize a kidney with sufficient function to keep a person off dialysis; a treatment that is life-saving, but difficult.

Currently, there's not a method in a lab to grow a kidney large enough for a person, so the plan is to grow the synthetic kidney in a pig within five years. If that happens, the USC team is confident they can develop a system to generate these structures at scale... by the thousands.

Well before the 5year release date, they will need patients on dialysis for human trials. This is an area that is frequently undervalued but could make a huge difference for patients. Be sure to get in contact with the research team:

Dr. Kenneth Hallows, Director USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center

Possible Phone Numbers: 323-442-1100 or (323) 442-1900

Email: hallows@usc.edu

Dr. Andy McMahon, Keck School of Medicine of USC

Direct Ph. 323-442-7847

Email: amcmahon@med.usc.edu

Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine; Director, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research