UPDATE: After reading about the experiment in the Kevin's Korner email blast to alumni, Brian Fisher '73 reached out. As a multiple kidney transplant recipient, he was excited to see the Green Knights learning about the process and offered his insights.
On November 3, Fisher joined the Anatomy and Physiology class live (via Google Meeting) and spoke about his lifetime of experiences, dating back to his senior year at SJR.
Just two years ago, Fisher was connected with a new kidney through the National Kidney Registry.
On October 26 and 27, SJR's Anatomy and Physiology class conducted a real world experiment in teams. Due to Covid-19 precautions, the class meets both in-person and virtually.
On Monday, the Gold Team of students began the experiment by setting up dialysis tubing, a control as well as two artificial nephrons. A nephron is the microscopic structural and functional unit of the kidney.
The class filled the nephrons with simulated blood from two very different patients: A and B.
On Tuesday, the Gold Team did their part, analyzing the overnight results. The students completed five different urinalysis tests on the samples to identify any potential health hazards that Patients A or B might be facing.
The results? Fairly conclusive. Patient A was given a clean bill of health while Patient B showed signs of glucose in the blood, an indication of diabetes.