Innovations in Materials Design for Kidney Dialysis, from Lab Bench to Patient: A GGPF & Silicon Valley ACS Joint Seminar

Innovations in Materials Design for Kidney Dialysis, from Lab Bench to Patient

Prof. Buddy Ratner, University of Washington

Sponsored by the Golden Gate Polymer Forum and Silicon Valley ACS

June 24, 2024

• 5:00-6:00 pm In-person networking with refreshments @ Stanford Chemistry Department before Zoom Watch Party
• 6:00-7:00 pm Zoom presentation, virtual or in-person at Stanford Watch Party

Free/$5 Donation to GGPF, Register for Zoom link or for in-person Watch Party location by June 23rd at 1:00 pm | Download flyer

Abstract:

In 1962 in Seattle, chronic hemodialysis on humans was first used successfully to address end stage kidney disease (ESKD). Since that time, we now have 4.5 million people worldwide receiving life-prolonging dialysis treatments three times a week – the therapy sustains their lives. However, the pain and complications of kidney dialysis are tragic for ESKD patients and the costs to society are huge (>$130B/yr). Our research program at the University of Washington is focused on rethinking dialysis that has not changed significantly since 1962. We aim to develop an ambulatory dialysis system, the AKTIV (Ambulatory Kidney to Improve Vitality). To retool dialysis, we will need improved blood waste cleansing, painless blood access, new blood compatible materials, skin healing and prevention of biofilm formation. Enhancements that can revolutionize how dialysis is performed will be discussed in this talk along with efforts to take innovation from the lab bench to the patient.  Polymers feature significantly in this development effort and are used to improve blood compatibility, reduce biofilm formation and improve skin healing.

Bio:

Buddy Ratner, PhD, University of Washington, Director of the UW Engineered Biomaterials Engineering Research Center (UWEB), Michael L. and Myrna Darland Endowed Chair in Technology Commercialization, and Professor in Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington. He received his PhD in Polymer Chemistry from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. His specialization is biomaterials used in medical devices and implants, and his lab is working on multiple bioengineering projects for tissues, organs and medical devices. Dr. Ratner is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, fellow and past president of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), a fellow and past president of the Society For Biomaterials, a fellow of AVS (formerly the American Vacuum Society), a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a fellow of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society. He has participated in the launch of numerous companies including Healionics, Inc., Asemblon, Inc. and Kuleana Technology, Inc. (focused on innovative dialysis devices). Dr. Ratner has authored more than 500 scholarly works and has more than 30 issued patents. His numerous awards include the Lifetime Inventor and Innovator Award from the University of Washington, the Acta Biomaterialia Gold Medal, the Distinguished Service Award from the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry, the Langmuir Lecture Award from the American Chemical Society, the Most Cited Paper Award (2015) from the Annals of Biomedical Engineering, George Winter Award of the European Society for Biomaterials, and the Pierre Galletti Award of AIMBE.