Project description
Bioprinting for functional kidney models
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) results in significant loss of kidney function, frequently necessitating dialysis or transplantation, but there is a critical shortage of donors. To address this issue, scientists turn to induced pluripotent stem cells to grow kidney organoids that mimic early kidney development. However, these organoids lack fully developed blood vessels and collecting ducts, which limits functionality. The ERC-funded NEPHRON project will combine bioprinting techniques with knowledge of organoids to develop an in vitro kidney model. This model will feature a bioengineered kidney-extracellular microenvironment, a vascularised network, and a collecting-duct system. The project will accelerate progress in kidney disease research, regenerative therapies, and organ engineering.
Objective
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) results in loss of kidney function in patients, ultimately requiring organ transplant. Critical organ shortage and organ rejection after transplant make extended dialysis inevitable and the only therapy available. To exacerbate this problem, the incidence of CKD is increasing worldwide, with >14% of the general population affected. Hence, there is an urgent need for novel therapies. Induced pluripotent stem cells have been used to create kidney organoids representing early renal development stages. These organoids might be a suitable therapy in the future but fundamental challenges to achieve late stages of physiologically relevant maturation and function need to be addressed. The lack of vasculature and collection duct systems limits the viability and filtrate removal. To overcome this challenge, I aim to develop a novel, mature in vitro kidney model by exploiting different bioprinting technologies combined with organoid knowledge. This solution will include a bioengineered kidney extracellular (ECM) microenvironment, a vascularized network and a collecting duct system.
I hypothesize that the strategic combinations of different bioprinting techniques will allow the development of key structures such as vasculature, essential for promoting maturation of the in vitro model, and a collecting duct for filtrate collection with an expected increase in function resembling the organ. Finally, the combination of the different modules on a microfluidic platform will allow the accurate control of the organoid perfusion and long-term cultures. NEPHRON will allow further knowledge on bioprinting functional kidney units while providing scientists an improved in vitro model to study development, disease and regeneration of the kidney. This knowledge can lead ultimately to alternative therapies and give initial indications on the future possibility of bioprinting a full functional organ.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-COG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
6200 MD Maastricht
Netherlands
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