The kidney is both a burgeoning source of regenerative stem cells and a site of regenerative medicine research because of the high demand for kidney repair and transplantation in acute and chronic renal diseases. The kidney is a highly complex organ comprising as many as 2 million nephrons and a structure of tubules or ducts used to filter bodily fluids and clear the body of waste byproducts. Until recently, researchers were not certain whether kidneys could repair or regrow any parts of a damaged or diseased organ. New laboratory results, however, have demonstrated that kidneys do in fact regenerate in certain conditions and to limited extents.

Kidney stem cells cannot make completely new nephrons, but damaged areas have regenerated missing cells by relying on neighboring healthy ...