PhD defence Z. (Zhaoyu) Du

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

Human iPSC-derived kidney organoids have revolutionized in vitro kidney research by offering 3D biological niche to study kidney development and functions. These organoids complement traditional 2D cell culture and animal models, offering increased complexity and improved tissue accessibility. They hold great potential in addressing key challenges in human kidney research, such as reducing animal experimentation, enabling human-specific drug toxicity testing, and advancing regenerative medicine for kidney diseases.  
Recent advancements in single-cell RNA sequencing and organ-on-chip technologies have provided deeper insights into kidney organoid development and potential applications. However, challenges remain, such as the maturation of nephron-like structures, improvements in vascularization, and a more comprehensive understanding of their functions.  
This thesis aims to advance the characterizations and applications of kidney organoids, with a focus on structural identifications and endocrine function development. By integrating virus infections, immune cell infusions, and genetic modifications with kidney organoids, we explore interdisciplinary modeling and potential therapeutic applications. Furthermore, endocrine function assays conducted on human kidneys connected to a normothermic perfusion machine provide valuable insights into hormone production levels in ex-situ kidneys, bridging the gap between organoid biology and clinical applications.  
These efforts contribute to the development of physiologically relevant kidney organoids and lay the groundwork for future translational and clinical applications.