Research

Scientist to discuss using kidney tubes from skin cells to fight kidney disease

This Friday, Sept. 26, a scientist who is coaxing human skin cells to transform into anatomically human kidney tubes will give a public lecture at 3:30 p.m. in 100 Life Sciences Building, the Berg Auditorium on Penn State's University Park campus. The research advances stem-cell technology and gives hope for the future of kidney transplantation. The speaker is Theodore I. Steinman, clinical professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and senior physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the most common inherited disorder linked to a single gene, after breast cancer. Steinman will describe how scientists on his research team human transform skin cells from patients with PKD into cells that have the potential to become other types of cells -- called induced pluripotent stem cells. He then will describe their controlled reprogramming of these cells into kidney cells. "From a tiny piece of skin, we are growing kidney tubules that are anatomically 'human' and have the transport characteristics of a normal kidney," Steinman said. "By using induced pluripotent stem cells from PKD patients, we are addressing therapeutic implications for transplants that will not require immunosuppressive medications. The potential for quality, cost-decreasing patient care is enormous."For information about accessibility, contact Carla Rodgers at cjr32@psu.edu or 814-863-3650.

Theodore I. Steinman Credit: Brigham and Women's HospitalAll Rights Reserved.

Last Updated January 9, 2015

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