First Fully Formed Organ Grown Inside Lab Mouse
- 10 years ago
For the first time in history, researchers in Scotland have been able to grow a complete, fully functional organ inside of a living animal. By genetically engineering a group of cells, the researchers grew a thymus, which is an organ that plays an important part in the immune system, creating T cells that prevent infection.
Scientists are continuing to make many breathtaking advancements in medical science.
For the first time in history, researchers in Scotland have been able to grow a complete, fully functional organ inside of a living animal.
By genetically engineering a group of cells, the researchers grew a thymus, which is an organ that plays an important part in the immune system, creating T cells that prevent infection.
Researchers transplanted the cells into genetically identical lab mice, grafting the thymus cells to the kidneys.
After four weeks, the cells had produced a healthy thymus.
The lead researcher of the study, Professor Clare Blackburn from the Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, is quoted as saying: “The ability to grow replacement organs from cells in the lab is one of the 'holy grails' in regenerative medicine. But the size and complexity of lab-grown organs has so far been limited.”
Advances in regenerative medicine mean that the method might replace organ transplants in the future.
Successful medical procedures have already helped patients with blood vessels, bladders, and windpipes that were grown in a lab.
Translating the procedure into one that could be useful for humans is said to still be years away.
Scientists are continuing to make many breathtaking advancements in medical science.
For the first time in history, researchers in Scotland have been able to grow a complete, fully functional organ inside of a living animal.
By genetically engineering a group of cells, the researchers grew a thymus, which is an organ that plays an important part in the immune system, creating T cells that prevent infection.
Researchers transplanted the cells into genetically identical lab mice, grafting the thymus cells to the kidneys.
After four weeks, the cells had produced a healthy thymus.
The lead researcher of the study, Professor Clare Blackburn from the Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, is quoted as saying: “The ability to grow replacement organs from cells in the lab is one of the 'holy grails' in regenerative medicine. But the size and complexity of lab-grown organs has so far been limited.”
Advances in regenerative medicine mean that the method might replace organ transplants in the future.
Successful medical procedures have already helped patients with blood vessels, bladders, and windpipes that were grown in a lab.
Translating the procedure into one that could be useful for humans is said to still be years away.