New Developments in Kidney Stem Cell Research Supported by The Helmsley Charitable Trust
Salk Institute scientists, supported by grants from many organizations including The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, have discovered the holy grail of endless youthfulness–at least when it comes to one type of human kidney precursor cell. Previous attempts to maintain cultures of the so-called nephron progenitor cells often failed, as the cells died or gradually lost their developmental potential rather than staying in a more medically useful precursor state.
But by using a three-dimensional culture and a new mixture of supporting molecules, Salk researchers have successfully suspended the cells early in their development. Such early-stage kidney cells could be used to grow replacement kidney tissue in order to study the organ as well as treat disease...