Normal and Abnormal Kidney Development

Organogenesis of the kidney requires complex interactions between the epithelial ureteric bud, metanephric mesenchyme, vasculature, and nerves. Metanephric development begins when the ureteric bud grows into the metanephric mesenchyme and begins to branch. Nephrons are induced at the tips of the growing ureteric bud. Error in branching morphogenesis, nephron induction, cellular growth controls, and epithelial specification can lead to renal agenesis, hypoplasia, dysplasia, or cystic kidneys. This seminar examines the anatomy of the developing kidney, experimental approaches to study renal morphogenic mechanisms, and implications for human renal development.