By Asmahanim Amir
Pictures by Shahiddan Saidi

BANGI, 21 Dec 2017 – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) will emerge as the first university in Malaysia to produce artificial kidneys as an initiative to help treat kidney failure patients.

Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronic (IMEN) Director, Prof Dato’ Dr Burhanuddin Yeop Majlis said the research which involves researchers from IMEN and UKM Medical Centre began in 2014.

“Kidney has seven functions. Thus, it is difficult for us to produce artificial kidneys which truly mimics all its functions.

“Instead, what we (the researchers) did was to produce artificial kidneys specially focused on filtering the blood from excretions with nanotechnology applied in full,” he explained.

He said this after the Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UKM and Miresco Integrated Sdn Bhd and the launch of the Burhanuddin Yeop Majlis Memoir, in conjunction with IMEN’s 15 years anniversary.

He said the research and development (R&D) provides new hope for kidney patients who rely on dialysis machines for life.

“The research about kidney was long and arduous as it involves many parties, including medical experts.

“Besides that, the high cost has also been one of the challenges to researchers in producing artificial kidney,” he explained adding that the research required funds amounting to RM5 million.

Meanwhile, UKM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Noor Azlan Ghazali said UKM is very serious  and committed in this endevour to help kidney patients undergo normal life without having to rely on dialysis.

“We strongly hope that private companies in Malaysia are able to channel funds and collaborate in the development of this research,” he said.