Scientists grow 'mini kidneys,' revealing new insights into metabolic defects and potential therapy for polycystic kidney disease

​Researchers at NTU Singapore have successfully cultivated 'mini kidneys' in laboratory settings and transplanted them into live mice, shedding light on metabolic abnormalities and potential therapeutic interventions for polycystic kidney disease (PKD). A/Prof Ng Kar Hui, Senior Consultant at the Division of Paediatric Nephrology, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation, Department of Paediatrics, KTP-NUCMI, NUH, noted that PKD is one of the biggest causes of chronic kidney diseases among adults, and that an effective treatment may potentially ameliorate the rising numbers of people with kidney failure in Singapore. She added that the establishment of such models in live organisms could lead to the discovery of more treatment options.

Singaporean At Heart - An Advocate For Kidney Patients

Singaporean At Heart, an exclusive CNA series, showcases the inspiring stories of global trailblazers who have made Singapore their home. An episode spotlights Prof A Vathsala, the Co-Director of National University Centre for Organ Transplantation (NUCOT) and Head of Medicine at National University Hospital and NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, whose efforts have made kidney transplant patient outcomes in Singapore among the best in the world.

The episode highlighted the story of how she became a medical leader, educator and researcher in the fields of nephrology and kidney transplantation. A/Prof Tiong Ho Yee, Surgical Director & Senior Consultant of the Adult Kidney Transplantation Programme at NUCOT, shared how Prof Vathsala’s leadership has shaped the kidney transplant programme in Singapore.

• MeWatch, Singaporean At Heart - Ep 2 An Advocate For Kidney Patients, 21 March 2024
  

New treatments can slow progress of kidney disease, delay need for dialysis

துவாழ்வு நரம் உறுப்பு தாளம் (Organ donation gives new life)

​A/Prof Shridhar Ganpathi Iyer, Senior Consultant, Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, and Surgical Director of the Adult Liver Transplantation Programme, NUCOT, said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of people coming forward to donate organs has dropped. He said the average waiting time in Singapore for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor is nine years. NUH patients Satya and Diksha Anand have kidney failure. Diksha had dialysis at NUH Children’s Kidney Centre three times a week for nearly four hours each time. In 2018 when Diksha was 10, she received kidneys from a deceased donor. Satya still undergoes peritoneal dialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant.

前线追踪 | 等候名单最长 他洗肾十年仍抱着希望 (Frontline: Longest waiting list; he continues to remain optimistic despite being on dialysis for 10 years)

​In a Frontline feature on organ donation and transplantation, Dr Emmett Wong, Consultant, Adult Kidney Transplantation Programme, NUCOT, NUH, discussed the causes and symptoms of end-stage kidney failure, as well as the benefits of living donor kidney transplantation. He also shared that the risk of kidney donors developing kidney failure themselves in the future is marginal.

Public hospitals in S’pore seeing rise in high-risk pregnancies

本地器官捐赠率低 医生促加强宣导 (Local organ donation rate is low, doctors encourage greater awareness and understanding)

In a World Organ Donation Day feature, Dr Emmett Wong Tsz Yeung, Consultant in National University Centre for Organ Transplantation's (NUCOT) Adult Kidney Transplantation Programme, and National University Hospital’s (NUH) Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, explained that a kidney transplant is the best treatment for patients with kidney failure. The average waiting time for patients on the deceased donor waitlist is almost 10 years, while the median survival for patients on dialysis is about six to eight years. He also shared some of the reasons for low deceased and living kidney donor rates in Singapore. 

The report featured an NUH patient who is currently undergoing dialysis while waiting for a deceased donor kidney transplant. Her husband, who is not a suitable living donor for her, also shared how his wife’s experience made him aware of the importance of organ donation. He has since opted in for MTERA, where all his organs and tissues would be donated for transplant and treatment, as well as education and research after death. 

本地器官捐赠率低 医生促加强宣导 (Local organ donation rate is low, doctors encourage greater awareness and understanding)

Health Matters: Can I live with just one kidney?

​In a World Organ Donation Day special live interview, Dr Hersharan Kaur Sran, Medical Director & Senior Consultant, Adult Kidney Transplantation Programme, National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, shared the reasons for a kidney donation, how challenging it is to find a right match, and the importance of living kidney donors. She highlighted that it is possible to live a normal life with one healthy kidney.

Health Matters: Can I live with just one kidney?

​In a World Organ Donation Day special live interview, Dr Hersharan Kaur Sran, Medical Director & Senior Consultant, Adult Kidney Transplantation Programme, NUCOT, shared the reasons for a kidney donation, how challenging it is to find a right match, and the importance of living kidney donors. She highlighted that it is possible to live a normal life with one healthy kidney.

为捐肾救女儿 戒40年烟瘾调整作息 (Father quits smoking after 40 years to donate kidney and save daughter’s life)

​For Father’s Day, Lianhe Zaobao featured the story of how Mr Zhang Bao Cheng made significant lifestyle changes – including quitting a 40-year smoking habit – to donate one of his kidneys to his daughter after she was diagnosed with kidney failure. The transplant was successfully completed at NUCOT after a five-hour operation. 

Article cited Dr Hersharan Kaur Sran, Medical Director & Senior Consultant of the Adult Kidney Transplantation Programme, NUCOT, who explained that the brief period of organ rejection Ms Zhang experienced post-transplant was due to the presence of a small number of antibodies in her blood that rejected foreign organs and tissues. Following two weeks of treatment, Ms Zhang made a full recovery. Mr Zhang said the family was grateful to the doctors and healthcare team who supported them.

Dads: What I did for love (Afraid of needles, but he donated kidney to his daughter)

患抑郁症 积极配合治疗: 76岁父捐肾救爱女 (76-year-old father actively engages in treatment for depression; donates kidney to save beloved daughter)

​Shin Min Daily News prominently featured the story of how a 76-year-old father, Mr Kwan, went through great lengths to treat his depression for the chance to donate his kidney and save his daughter’s life. The transplant was successfully done at NUCOT in August last year.

儿童肾脏移植成功率高 排斥反应须监控 (Paediatric kidney transplant success rate high, risk of rejection calls for vigilant monitoring)

Received mum's kidney at age 5