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.'"

Comments

Good to see application

[DorkusMasterus]

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.

Re:Good to see application

[Anonymous Coward]

Since they've been grown from the patients own cells, unless they've been treated to reset the cellular clock (with teleomerase or some such thing,) the new organ will still have the same cellular age as the patient. It might not have the current ravages of disease as the old organ but it will still be the same age.

Something like what happened to Dolly the sheep but it will happen to the organ.

Re:Good to see application

[BewireNomali]

I can imagine rejection wouldn't be much of an issue - it's the patient's own cells. I think it's more an issue of functionality, i.e. how well such an organ will work relative to the original.

This is great stuff. Great stuff.

What would also be interesting is the cottage industries that arise. When my kid is born, am I going to take a bunch of his stem cells and place them in a bank for and future unforseen circumstances? Is he going to surrender cells during physicals so organs can be grown for him on cue. Will we all have deposits in bio-banks?

A wonderful step.

[jcr]

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

Next up... BREAST IMPLANTS!

[gnovos]

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.

Re:Hey! Am I the only one here

[ErikZ]

Oh yeah, that's on my list "Find and marry a female super genius."

I'd love to marry a smart girl, but frankly they've been absolute bitches or completely uninterested in any male or female companionship.