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

> **NIH NIH R42** · WR BIOTECH, LLC · 2022 · $803,313

## Abstract

The goals of this Phase II application: 1) determine the translational significance of the i-SMEF (improved
Synchronization Modulation Electric Field) in a preclinical animal model using adult Yorkshire pigs with kidney
autotransplantation; and 2) determine the optimal parameters of the i-SMEF in protection against ischemic injury
of the donor kidneys during cold storage and improvement of the transplanted graft function.
 In the Phase I proposal, we have developed a novel technique, named i-SMEF (patent pending). The i-SMEF
not only controls the Na/K pump activity, but also generates ATP molecules. Briefly, by utilizing the intrinsic dual
energy transform functions of the Na/K pumps, we specially designed the i-SMEF to control Na/K pump activity.
Meanwhile, the electric field provides adequate energy to the pump molecules so that they can synthesize one
ATP molecule for each pumping cycle. Consequently, the i-SMEF can maintain the Na/K pumping activity in
situations with an insufficient or lack of ATP supply, such as in hypoxia. Then, we demonstrated that the
application of the i-SMEF on the donor kidneys effectively protected transplanted graft functions in a mouse
kidney transplantation model. These data have just been published in Science Translational Medicine.
 In this Phase II proposal, we will examine the translational significance of the i-SMEF by using a preclinical
porcine model in adult Yorkshire pigs. To minimize the immunoresponse and focus on the ischemia reperfusion
injury, we will use kidney autotransplantation model. Then, we will determine the optimal parameters, including
the numbers of electrode pairs, frequency, and voltage. Considering the high similarities in size, anatomy and
physiology between human and adult pig kidneys, we believe that the optimal parameters obtained from pigs
are readily applicable to humans in the Phase III proposal.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10603207
- **Project number:** 2R42DK130764-02
- **Recipient organization:** WR BIOTECH, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** WEI CHEN
- **Activity code:** R42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $803,313
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2021-09-23 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10603207

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10603207, Protection of donor kidneys with synchronization modulation electric field (SMEF) (2R42DK130764-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10603207. Licensed CC0.

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