Salk Institute Creates Human-Pig Chimera Embryos for Organ Transplants
Scientists at the Salk Institute have made a significant breakthrough in creating human-pig chimera embryos. The team, led by Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, has developed a method to inject human cells into pig embryos, allowing them to survive and grow. This research, published in the journal Cell, could pave the way for a solution to the critical shortage of organ transplants.
The Salk Institute's team created 186 chimera embryos that survived to a four-week stage. These embryos contained an estimated one human cell in 100,000 pig cells. The ultimate goal is to grow embryos using the stem cells from a patient in need of a transplant, potentially solving the issue of organ rejection.
Until August 2021, there was a ban on federal funding for chimera research in the U.S. However, the Salk Institute's research was funded privately, with the team working on this project for the past four years. By studying these chimeric embryos, scientists can gain valuable insights into human embryo development and various diseases.
The Salk Institute's groundbreaking research brings us closer to a potential solution for the urgent need of organ transplants. With 22 people dying daily due to lack of timely donations, chimeras could provide a lifesaving alternative. Further research is needed to ensure the safety and efficacy of this approach.
Read also:
- Inadequate supply of accessible housing overlooks London's disabled community
- Strange discovery in EU: Rabbits found with unusual appendages resembling tentacles on their heads
- Duration of a Travelling Blood Clot: Time Scale Explained
- Fainting versus Seizures: Overlaps, Distinctions, and Proper Responses
