Soon, kidneys on a chip will explode at the space station

UW scientists are preparing a kidney-on-a-chip experiment in Cape Canaveral, Florida, pending the launch of a shuttle that will take the chips into space. At an altitude of 250 km, astronauts will help study the impact of reduced severity in space on renal physiology.

The smart devices of the size of a credit card will contain micro-chambers lined with kidney cells of human origin. The cells simulate part of the kidney and act as part of the kidney when liquid drugs or toxins are injected into the device.

New tools, such as kidney chips, could help find ways to prevent or treat the kidney problems that often occur in astronauts, as well as in people who will never venture into space. Kidney failure affects about 10% of adults. the treatment can decrease the quality of life. Cells age faster in space and can give researchers much longer results on Earth, without having to test on real people.

A SpaceX Dragon C19 / Falcon 9 refueling shuttle will deliver the chips to the International Space Station, where they will be exposed to microgravity for about two weeks.

Chief Scientists are Ed Kelly, Associate Professor of Pharmacy, UW School of Pharmacy; Jonathan Himmelfarb, a kidney disease specialist at UW Medicine and a professor of medicine at the Division of Nephrology at the UW School of Medicine; and Cathy Yeung, badistant professor of pharmacy research.

The unmanned SpaceS CRS17 mission, entrusted to NASA, should be launched at the end of April, while waiting for favorable conditions.

Learn more about the project and where to watch the live launch here.