Research & Development

Science

SWL Therapeutics advances renal and transplant medicine through programs focused on regulated cell death, graft function, organ preservation, and clinically relevant models of kidney injury.

Transplantation Research & Renal Pathophysiology

Protecting kidney function from molecular injury to organ preservation

Our work connects mechanistic kidney biology with translational strategies designed to reduce tissue injury, preserve graft viability, and improve post-transplant outcomes.

Core focus Kidney disease, ischemic injury, and transplant graft function
Translation Peptidomimetic therapeutics, organ preservation, and large-animal validation
Models Cellular mechanisms, rodent transplantation, porcine transplant models, and machine perfusion
01

PPP1R3G-Mediated Necroptosis

Tubular cell injury is a major driver of acute and chronic kidney disease. SWL is investigating how PPP1R3G and PP1γ regulate RIPK1 activation and how selective peptidomimetics may block RIPK1-dependent cell death.

02

Macula Densa NOS1β

Research into macula densa NOS1β explores how urinary pH and tubuloglomerular feedback influence transplanted kidney graft function and post-transplant renal outcomes.

03

SMEF Organ Preservation

Synchronization Modulation Electric Field, or SMEF, is being developed to help sustain Na+/K+-ATPase activity during ATP-deficient stress, with the goal of reducing ischemic kidney injury during donor organ storage.

04

Kidney-Liver Crosstalk

Studies of metabolic-associated steatohepatitis and chronic kidney disease examine how liver pathology can contribute to renal injury, including through transplantation models that separate hepatic and kidney-specific effects.

05

Large-Animal Models

Clinically relevant porcine models, including transplantation, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and machine perfusion, provide a translational platform for evaluating graft viability and preservation strategies.

06

Therapeutic Strategy

Across these programs, SWL Therapeutics aims to convert mechanistic insight into practical interventions that protect organs, improve graft performance, and reduce kidney disease progression.

Funding Support

Research programs supported by competitive biomedical funding

The scientific foundation for these programs is supported by federal and matching-grant funding in renal biology, organ preservation, and transplant research.

NIH-NIDDK R01DK122050 Macula densa NOS1 and transplanted renal graft function
NIH-NIDDK R01DK138092 Protection of donor kidney and transplanted graft function by modulating Na/K ATPase activity
NIH-NIDDK R42DK130764 Protection of donor kidneys with Synchronization Modulation Electric Field
FHT Match Corridor MED052 Matching grant research program tied to STTR R42DK130764
NIH-NIDDK R01DK145695 Mechanisms of NASH-mediated pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease