Method for the formation of renal tubules

A method for forming renal tubules comprising

• embedding individual human kidney cells in a synthetic three-dimensional hydrogel matrix, wherein said synthetic three-dimensional hydrogel matrix comprising polyethylene glycol as a component, said polyethylene glycol molecules are crosslinked via peptides with molecules of heparin, hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulfate and the synthetic three-dimensional matrix is intermixed with the human kidney cells, wherein the peptides are enzymatically cleavable to allow for cell-controlled degradation and reconfiguration of the hydrogel matrix;
• and
• continually culturing the hydrogel embedded cells in a culture medium comprising a serum containing growth factors until tubule structures are formed to a size, structure, morphology and functionality corresponding to or resembling human renal tubules.