LONDON: Scientists in the United Kingdom have, for the first time, successfully transplanted a lab-grown esophagus into a pig, where it functioned effectively to enable swallowing marking a major advance in regenerative medicine.
Researchers from Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London found that donor esophageal tissue can be stripped of its original cells and repopulated with cells from the recipient, allowing the organ to regain function after transplantation.
The hospital described the achievement as a significant step forward in developing personalized regenerative treatments for children born with life-threatening esophageal conditions.
Senior researcher Dr Marco Pellegrini said the technology could enable scientists to grow new esophagi using a child’s own cells, potentially transforming treatment options in the future.
