Stem Cells Genetically Engineered Transformed Into Working Mini-Livers Extended The Life Of Mice With Liver Disease
Imagine if researchers could program stem cells, which have the potential to grow into all cell types in the body, so that they could generate an entire human organ. This would allow scientists to manufacture tissues for testing drugs and reduce the demand for transplant organs by having new ones grown directly from a patient’s cells.
A cross section of lab-grown human liver tissue. The green shows the network of blood vessels. Velazquez et al. Cell Systems , CC BY-SA
Takeaways
Scientists have made progress growing human liver in the lab.
The challenge has been to direct stems cells to grow into a mature, functioning adult organ.
This study shows that stem cells can be programmed, using genetic engineering, to grow from immature cells into mature tissue.
When a tiny lab-grown liv...