Lab-grown Organs Being Transplanted

Olivia Tyndall

Link: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/04/08/scientists-grow-human-body-parts-in-lab/

Author: N/a
Date: April 08, 2014

Summary:  In a hospital in London, scientists are growing noses, ears and blood vessels in a laboratory in an attempt to make body parts using stem cells. So far, a few patients have received some of the lab-grown organs, including tear ducts, blood vessels and windpipes. Doctors and scientists soon hope to transplant the first nose made partly from stem cells.To make the organs, scientists add a salt and sugar solution to the mold of the organ to mimic the somewhat sponge-like texture of the real thing. Stem cells are taken from the patient's fat and grown in the lab for two weeks before being used. Seifalian, the main doctor heading the project, and his team are creating other organs including coronary arteries and ears. Later this year, a trial is scheduled to start in India and London to test lab-made ears for people born without them."Scientists have to get things like noses and ears right before we can move onto something like a kidney, lungs or a liver, which is much more complicated," said Eileen Gentleman, a stem cell expert at King's College London, who is not involved in Seifalian's research.

Connection: 
This article relates to our unit about the nervous system, which included sensory organs, because the scientists are primarily trying to make sensory organs, such as noses and ears. Apart from actually physically making the organs, doctors have to make sure these organs connect to the central nervous system (using neurotransmitters) so they are actually functional. This also relates to our unit earlier in the year about genetic engineering. Scientists are taking the same principal about genetically modifying plants and instead applying it to people.