Create human liver from stem cells

Japanese researchers have created a fully functional human liver from stem cells, increasing hopes that humans will produce artificial organs for transplant patients.

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A scientist working with stem cells - (Photo: AFP)

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun (Japan) on June 8, the research team led by Professor Hideki Taniguchi at Yokohama City University developed pluripotent stem cells (iPS) into 'precursor cells' , then implanted into a mouse.

These cells then develop into a liver, which is only 5mm, but works with the full function of the human liver: it can produce proteins and resolve drugs.

This groundbreaking study opens up the opportunity to create human organs, which is a problem for doctors because they often face a shortage of donor organs for transplants.

The Yomiuri Shimbun considers the study to be 'an important bridge between basic research and clinical applications' , but it will face many challenges before being applied in medicine.

Stem cells are usually taken from human embryos, and this problem is still morally controversial, while iPS can be taken from adults.

IPS has the potential to develop into any body tissue, discovered in 2006 in two separate studies by US and Japanese scientists.