CIRM Bridges intern researches stem cells to grow kidneys

David Anjakos in the lab. Photo courtesy Sarah White/SDSU.

When he was younger, David Anjakos experienced kidney failure due to an autoimmune disease, leaving him without kidneys in his body. As a trainee in the California Institute for Regenerative Medicines Bridges to Stem Cell Research Internship Program, Anjakos is researching methods of growing organs for transplantation to help people on a transplant list, himself included.

By now, Anjakos thought hed have his own kidney and that he would be off the transplant list and dialysis. Thats not the case, so he realized he wanted to try and do something about it.

Fifteen years later, we havent really gotten there. It just shows how complex the problem is and how even with thousands of hours and scientists working on this, we still havent quite got there, he says. What that showed me is that I needed to step in. We need more people on these problems.

Thats what inspired him to join the CIRM Bridges Program at San Diego State University. Specifically, he wanted to get into stem cells to try to control them to do what he wanted them to do. Hes completing his internship at the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, where he is working toward developing a protein that will be able to activate stem cells to turn into different organs.

If successful, this will be important for drug discovery, growing organs and vascularization, the process of growing blood vessels into a tissue to improve oxygen and nutrient supply.

CIRMs Bridges to Stem Cell Research program has really been a huge opportunity for me to get into science, to practice science, to practice the skills that Ill need, said Anjakos. It has really helped me in my confidence in my ability to do science.

After finishing his Bridges internship at the Sanford Consortium, Anjakos plans to start a PhD program so he can apply all he has learned from creating approximations of the Wnt protein that is essential for turning stem cells into organs with functioning vessels.

To date, there are 1,663 Bridges alumni, and another 109 Bridges trainees are completing their internships in 2022.

Started in 2009, the Bridges program provides paid stem cell research internships to students at universities and colleges that dont have major stem cell research programs. Each Bridges internship includes thorough hands-on training and education in regenerative medicine and stem cell research, and direct patient engagement and outreach activities that engage Californias diverse communities.Click here to learn more about CIRMs educational programs.

This story was first covered by Sarah White and Susanne Clara Bard. Read the original releaseon the San Diego State University website.

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CIRM Bridges intern researches stem cells to grow kidneys