title: Toward a bioartificial kidney: will embryonic stem cells be the answer?
abstract: Directing the development of human embryonic stem cells into functional renal tubular cells has been limited by the lack of defined, reproducible differentiation and culture protocols. If these cells are to be used for in vitro testing or therapeutics, viability under bioreactor conditions is required. Narayanan et al. describe in detail such methodology. Such knowledge will hopefully accelerate the development of the Holy Grail of nephrology, the bioartificial kidney.
authors.affiliation: Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, Pacific Highway, St Leonards, NSW, Australia. carol.pollock@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pollock
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D021522:Bioartificial Organs; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering