For the first time, scientists in the United Kingdom have successfully transplanted a lab-grown esophagus into a pig, restoring the organ’s ability to swallow food.
Researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London discovered that the donor animal’s esophageal cells could be removed and replaced with the recipient’s own cells, allowing the organ to regain its function.
The hospital said the breakthrough represents a significant advancement in personalized regenerative treatment for children born with life-threatening esophageal conditions.
Dr. Marco Pellegrini, a senior researcher at University College London, explained that the technology could be used to create a new esophagus from a child’s own cells, offering a promising long-term solution for those in need of esophageal reconstruction.
