Figure 1.

The Conceptual Basis and Application of Decellularized Kidney Scaffolds. An intact kidney (left, red) is first decellularized using agents such as detergent buffers. Once this process is complete, the resulting extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold (middle, grey) can be manipulated in various ways, such as to be transplanted into a recipient or to undergo reseeding with new cells. Further, characterization of ECM proteins and chemical modification of the scaffold can also be performed.