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Lab-Grown Bladder Transplanted
JaJ_D writes "The BBC is reporting a story about the successful transplant of a lab grown bladder into a patient. From the article: 'US scientists have successfully implanted bladders grown in the lab from patients' own cells into people with bladder disease ... They took a bladder biopsy from each patient and isolated muscle cells and special bladder cells called urothelial cells, which they grew in the lab. The cells were then placed onto a specially designed bladder-shaped scaffold and left to grow for seven to eight weeks.'"
But then I realized, I don't have a bladder
Can I get a bigger one?!
*runs to the bathroom*
-FL
NPR had the story this morning, can't find a link to anything but I believe critics said the results didn't show definite improvement in the patients.
We've been hearing forever about the possibility and marvel of lab-grown organs for transplants. It's good to see actual results from one.
However, the true test will now be seeing if the patient rejects the new organ, or if the organ functions as long as a healthy new organ would behave. Either way, even if just comparable to standard transplants, this is an amazing step forward. But can you imagine the possibilities if the organ lasts as long as a freshly made natural organ? Lifespans would shoot upward, and terminal organ diseases would disappear quickly. Good to see we're headed that way.
This is "News for Nerds. Stuff that matters." not "News for Nerds. Stuff that matters. Real fast."
Today, it's possible to replace noses, ears, and bladders. Someday it will be hearts, major blood vessels, livers, and lungs.
If you know any medical researchers, biologists, surgeons, or anyone else who works in the medical field today, drop them a note and thank them. They're making a better world.
-jcr
The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
why are these scienticians wasting so much time and effort when we have perfectly good baboon bladders lying all over the place?
the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
how long does it take Slashdot to post something?
;-)
The first time, you mean?
-jcr
The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
It would be nice to drink that beer without worrying about my liver -- I guess that's why God gave us two of them.
It's true no man is an island, but if you take a bunch of dead guys and tie 'em together, they make a good raft.
It will be a matter of very very little time, once this bladder has shown to be functional, before one of the scientists who worked on this says to himself, hey, why not make a boob shaped scaffold, implant breast cells, and make a NATURAL breast implant that will NOT have any of the complicatons of silicone (Breastfeeding will still be possible, natual shape, size and feel, indistinguishable, basically, from the real thing), and thus finds himself a billionaire surrounded by huge breasted yet rail-thin women.
"Your superior intellect is no match for our puny weapons!"
who married a girl smarter than me?
/. if you're going to mock her :o)
My wife was a math major and all-around genius (prefect grades on every assignment in every class), and has been a teacher and librarian. She keeps our financial books in order (thank goodness) and has excellent insight into big financial decisions; when we've followed her preferred course of action, we've always done well, I'm batting about 80%. She's not a gadget freak like me, but she definitely knows more about Word and Excel than I do. The computer is more of a tool than a hobby in her case, but she is very on top of the tools that she does use.
For those on Slashdot who aren't married, my advice is to find a woman who is at least as smart as you are. If you can find a girl who has more knowledge than you in particular areas (like my wife with math) you'll be doing well. It's cool to have a relationship where your areas of interest overlap, but it's really cool when your different expertise allows you to learn from each other.
And make sure she never reads
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I just regret the type of email I'm going to get from those companies that want me to enlarge things: "Be any size you want. Get a divorce from that haggy messed up *itch because you're too big for her!" or "Kill him by smothering - make them so large you've got a legal alibi".
*shudder*
There's a gorilla from Manilla whose a fella that stinks of vanilla and has salmonella.
I have one of the "older" artificial bladders made from intestine. Mine was installed in 1988 when I was 13. This would have made my life SOOO much easier than what I deal with now. GO SCIENCE
They are using my bladder-shaped scaffold patent without my permission. Anyone got the number of the guy who headed the "one-click ordering" patent team? He's my boy...
Is it just me, or is this article summary just written as an excuse to use the word "bladder" as may times as possible?
If you can read this, I forgot to post anonymously.
The cells were then placed onto a specially designed bladder-shaped scaffold and left to grow for seven to eight weeks.
How long until this hits the elective surgery market?
"Bored with your old bladder-shaped bladder? Take your pick from our line of bladders shaped like stars, moons, clovers, diamonds.. or profess your fandom with a licensed Mickey-Mouse-shaped excretory organ! (c)Disney
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After replacing most organs becomes common and life spans are increased, won't we run into trouble with people's bodies out living their brains (more so than already). I think we can all agree that of all the organs, brains will be the most difficult to swap out (aside from the wiring and stuff, all the learned data and input driven development). Who knows what might happen, but this would pose a huge ethical delima
Do we give grandpa a new set of organs even though he only had the
inteligence of an Easter Egg?
This development has been a long time coming...
"Bladder late than never."
I just sent a note to my favorite, Dr. Frankenstein. I'm encouraging him in his latest project to engineer full body clones with minimalist small mammal brain grown in rather than the original human brain. I really can't wait until I can buy a pet girl that looks like a beautiful but that doesn't expect anything from me other than feeding and a bed to sleep in. Dating will be made so much simpler thanks to genetic science!
;)
Okay.. maybe I'm the only one that sufferes from that strange fantasy.
At what price learning? At what cost wisdom? The price is a man's peace of mind, and the cost is his life.
Sheep bladders may now be employed to prevent earthquakes.
MrCreosote Meow!Thump!Meow!Thump!Meow!Thump! "You're right! There isn't enough room to swing a cat in here!"
kind of sucked while I was there, but GO DEMON DEACONS!!!
Bladderunner
To the bathroom!