# Protection of donor kidneys with synchronization modulation electric field (SMEF)

> **NIH NIH R41** · WR BIOTECH, LLC · 2021 · $251,260

## Abstract

The objective of this proposal is to examine a novel technique called improved Synchronization
Modulation Electric Field (i-SMEF) in protection of donor kidneys and improvement of
transplanted graft functions. We will apply the i-SMEF on donor kidneys during cold storage and
evaluate the transplanted graft function following kidney transplantation in mice.
 We have developed a novel technique, named i-SMEF, which could not only maintain the pump
functions, but also generate ATP molecules. Briefly, on the one hand, i-SMEF maintains Na/K
pump activity to actively transport three Na+ out and two K+ ions in by consuming one ATP
molecule, on the other hand, the electric field provides energy to the pump molecules so that they
can synthesize one ATP in each pumping cycle. Consequently, the ATP net-consumption for the
i-SMEF-controlled Na/K pumps is theoretically zero at any pumping rate, in other words, the pump
molecules can effectively build up physiological ionic concentration gradients in the situations with
a limited or lack of ATP supply, such as in hypoxia.
 Based on the strong preliminary findings, we propose to test this technique in a mouse kidney
transplantation model. We will test our hypothesis that application of the i-SMEF on donor kidneys
during cold storage protects against ischemic injury and improves the transplanted graft functions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10384061
- **Project number:** 1R41DK130764-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** WR BIOTECH, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** WEI CHEN
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $251,260
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-23 → 2022-09-18

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10384061

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10384061, Protection of donor kidneys with synchronization modulation electric field (SMEF) (1R41DK130764-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10384061. Licensed CC0.

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