An EU funded research consortium developing three-dimensional (3D) in vitro human renal tubulointerstitium (TI) models with an unprecedented degree of mimicry and function towards native kidney. The primary focus of the project is the investigation of viral infection and nephrotoxicity applications, and to make the model applicable also to other kidney-related diseases.
Current experimental models have proven their limitation to understand biology of kidney diseases. With an estimated 10% of the population worldwide being affected by kidney diseases, there is a dire need to develop novel in vitro kidney models to support the development of kidney treatment innovations in the future.
Creating a novel microphysiological relevant 3D renal in vitro model by combining two enabling technologies, bioprinting and organ-on-chip. Primary human cells and induced pluripotent stem cells will be used to generate renal progenitor cells and organoids and combined with the aforementioned model envisioning future patient specific therapies.
BIRDIE consortium consists of experienced researchers from European academic institutions and innovative SMEs. The team has highly complementary expertise in translational biology, bioprinting and additive manufacturing, microfluidics, single cell systems, and organ on a chip models.
Kidney diseases affects approximately one in every ten individuals globally and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is predicted to become the 5th leading cause of death worldwide. The main causes for CKD include diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as…
Read More BIRDIE building a foundation for better kidney health
On March 2, the whole BIRDIE consortium convened in Nantes to discuss the progress made so far in the project and to plan the coming stage to achieve our goals of creating physiologically relevant in vitro kidney models. The meeting…
We are very happy to announced that Erland-Noroit has completed the installation of the customized H.Box Class II biosafety cabinet that they have developed specifically for the BIRDIE project and the Biopixlar bioprinting platform. The new instrument setup will be…
BIRDIE Project Website 