Nakauchi recently described a method for making replacement organs using interspecies chimeras. When combined with the Yamanaka method for making stem cells this opens the door for the production of autologous organs. Many challenges remain. Not just the specific organ, but the vasculature and hematopoietic system might also need to be strictly patient derived. Could genetically engineered pigs work, or would we need
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Nakauchi recently described a method for making replacement organs using interspecies chimeras. When combined with the Yamanaka method for making stem cells this opens the door for the production of autologous organs. Many challenges remain. Not just the specific organ, but the vasculature and hematopoietic system might also need to be strictly patient derived. Could genetically engineered pigs work, or would we need to go to a more closely related species? Cell. 2010 Sep 3;142(5):787-99.
Generation of rat pancreas in mouse by interspecific blastocyst injection of pluripotent stem cells.
Kobayashi T, Yamaguchi T, Hamanaka S, Kato-Itoh M, Yamazaki Y, Ibata M, Sato H, Lee YS, Usui J, Knisely AS, Hirabayashi M, Nakauchi H.
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