(Re)Building A Kidney Consortium Announces 2018 Partnership Program

Here is the announcements from the (Re)Building A Kidney Consortium:

"The (Re)Building A Kidney Consortium is happy to announce that we are ready to accept new submissions to collaborate with us via the 2018 round of our Partnership Program. 

Specifically, we are looking for additional projects in the following two subject areas:

1. Physiologic Function

   It is critical that bioengineered devices and biologicals (e.g. organoids, bioprinted devices) developed in RBK reflect the physiologic functions of the kidney. Specialized tools and expertise are needed to help evaluate these functions. Successful applications must involve a collaboration with an existing RBK member (https://www.rebuildingakidney.org/projects) and propose to evaluate physiological function in RBK developed bioengineered devices or biologicals. Examples might include:

   • Develop novel way to non-invasively image renal function. Engineer or apply physiologically-relevant biosensors and reporters to image/measure physiologic processes in real-time.
   • Perfuse organoids or bioengineered devices and assess flow-dependent function (e.g. PAH secretion; glucose, Na+ and HCO3- reabsorption in the proximal tubule; K+ and H+ secretion in distal tubule).
   • Implement classic physiological methods of polarization, resistance, filtration, reabsorption and secretion.

2. Repair/Regeneration

   It remains a major focus of the RBK to better understand productive repair in response to injury. Applicants may propose either a new standalone project OR a collaboration with an existing RBK member (https://www.rebuildingakidney.org/projects). Examples might include:

   • Profile endogenous repair/regeneration pathways in cells and tissues. When appropriate, the use of human samples is strongly encouraged.
   • Define repair circuits to identify drug targets that will enhance endogenous repair and develop target-based small screening assays. Use phenotype screening assays to identify small molecules that will activate innate reparative responses.
   • Discover and/or characterize signals released by injured tissue required for productive repair and regeneration.
   • Application of cells, including induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and regenerative therapies to repair and reverse injury. Develop novel ways to preferentially target cells to the kidney and to non-invasively image the integration and/or "fusion" of applied stem cells. Develop methods for identifying, counting and eliminating potentially harmful components and cells from stem cell preparations.
   • Develop novel ways to non-invasively image repair and regeneration, perhaps by imaging the integration and/or "fusion" of applied stem cells.

Best,
RBK Hub"