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Bionic kidney

Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles, are developing a human nephron filter, or artificial kidney. The team, led by Dr Allen Nissenson, are working on a portable device the size of a paperback book, but ultimately want to use nanotechnology to create an implantable kidney. Blood enters the device, toxins are siphoned off as waste product and water and other essentials are returned to the bloodstream. The device is intended to replace dialysis sessions.