Investigating the mechanisms of small molecule separation in blood plasma

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One of the key functions of kidneys is to separate uremic toxins from the blood. Currently, dialysis is the maintechnique of separation of uremic toxins from blood. In this regard, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is aglobal health concern with a high prevalence percentage (15% - global; 30% - Canada). The leading treatmentfor ESRD patients is hemodialysis, where the blood is passed through a semipermeable membrane and theuremic toxins diffuse into the dialysate. This is a repetitive, laborious, time consuming and expensive process.Qidni Labs Inc., Kitchener, Ontario is developing renal replacement therapies that will eliminate the necessityof dialysis clinic sessions and will administer continuous and automatic renal therapy. In this proposal QidniLabs Inc. and Dr. Praveen Nekkar Rao (Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo) arecollaborating to investigate alternative methods of separating uremic toxins using a novel microfluidic platformand their detection using analytical tools. This proposal aims to investigate novel methods of separating uremictoxins using a novel microfluidic platform and their detection using analytical tools. The outcomes areanticipated to reveal the mechanisms of small molecule separation using the microfluidic technology and theirpotential application to kidney patients in Canada thereby providing health and economic benefits toCanadians.