Human lungs are among the most difficult organs to grow artificially, but researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch say they have grown aet of lungs inside a fish tank.
The lungs used cells from two deceased children who died from trauma. Taking collagen and elastin – protein building blocks for connective tissue in the lungs – from one pair of lungs as a “scaffold” for the building process, the scientists then added cells from the other set of lungs for a more complete set. The lungs were then immersed in a nutritious liquid for four weeks, which made it pinker, softer and less dense.
While this is a landmark case of regenerative medicine, it's only an early step in the research process. The researchers say they will next attempt to place lab-grown lungs inside a pig.
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Sourced from: medicalnewstoday.com, Human lungs successfully grown in a lab for the first time