Figure 2: Schematic illustration of isolating renal stem/progenitor cells and generation of tubules at the interface of an artificial polyester interstitium (ac). By stripping off the capsula fibrosa (CF) from neonatal rabbit kidney renal stem/progenitor cells within mesenchyme and collecting duct ampullae can be isolated (a). To create an artificial interstitium renal stem/progenitor cells are mounted between layers of polyester fleece within a tissue carrier (b). During perfusion culture always fresh medium is transported (arrow) by a peristaltic pump. To maintain a constant temperature of 37°C, the culture container is placed on a thermoplate and covered with a lid.