Yokohama City University researchers create liver from stem cells
The team of Japanese scientists transplanted stem cells into a mouse where it grew into a small, but working, human liver, raising hopes for the manufacture of artificial organs for those in need of transplants.
Photo/US Army
According to a Times of India report Saturday, a team led by Professor Hideki Taniguchi at Yokohama City University transplanted induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Unlike stemcells which are frequently harvested from embryos, iPS cells – which have the potential to develop into any body tissue – can be taken from adults.
The report says the cells grew into a human liver 5 millimetres in size that was capable of generating human proteins and breaking down drugs.
This is a huge advancement where doctors and patients face a constant shortage of available organs for transplant.
iPS cells were discovered in 2006 by two separate research teams in Japan and the US.
