Salk Institute Creates 186 Human-Pig Chimeras for Organ Transplants
Scientists at the Salk Institute have made significant strides in creating human-pig chimeras, aiming to grow human organs in animals for transplants. Led by Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte and his team over the past four years, this research, privately funded, has resulted in the creation of 186 chimera embryos with about one in 100,000 human cells.
The primary goal is to grow chimeric organs using a patient's own stem cells, preventing rejection. This approach addresses the critical organ donation shortage. By injecting human cells into animal embryos, the likelihood of organ rejection is significantly reduced.
The research, published in the journal Cell, offers valuable insights into disease and human embryo development. Until August 2021, there was a ban on federal funding for chimera research in the U.S., making private funding crucial for this groundbreaking work. The Salk Institute team developed a method allowing pig embryos injected with human cells to survive, paving the way for further advancements in this field.
The creation of 186 human-pig chimera embryos marks a significant milestone in the quest to grow human organs in animals for transplants. This research, conducted at the Salk Institute with private funding, holds immense potential for addressing the organ donation shortage and providing valuable insights into human development and disease.
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