In the present form, kidney dialysis for renal failure is a severe life hardship. There are very low 5-year survival rates (35%) due to complex chemical imbalances. New technologies are needed to make portable devices that work around the clock and restore bio-chemical balance effectively.

The University of Washington’s Center for Dialysis Innovation (CDI)’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of people receiving dialysis treatment with a vision that future dialysis therapy will be complication free, and restorative of kidney health.

MSE Professor Bruce Hinds, a Featured Investigator with CDI, aims to provide needed breakthrough technology to support this mission. Hinds’ research group is pioneering efforts in "active" membranes that selectively electro-pump target bio-molecules. During dialysis, this will allow recovery of important nutrients and proteins for chemical balance, and can be contained in a compact device.

Seattle-based nonprofit dialysis provider Northwest Kidney Centers intends to make a $15 million grant over the next five years to support startup projects within CDI.

For more information on the Hinds’ group research program please visit the Hinds Lab website.