Scientists grow hearts to transplant to humans
Hearts grown from pig organs and human cells could soon be used in organ transplants.
Molecular biologist Doris Taylor has seen cells of the heart specifically beating in the laboratory's Petri dishes.
Dr. Taylor, Research Director of Regenerative Medicine at the Texas Heart Institute (USA), said, using the patient's own tissue, scientists can create a selection of combinations with cells pigs that the body will not eliminate.
"This really changed my life. I wanted to rebuild the heart to save the lives of the patients," Ms. Taylor said.
Dr. Doris Taylor diligently researches human versions of heart transplants.
The heart transplant could become a planned procedure, not a last resort, she said.
"The patient's risk is reduced by not using anti-rejection drugs. It's your cells that make the heart. This also helps reduce costs," explains Ms. Taylor.
A robot is taught to insert human stem cells into a replicating heart in a sterile environment. Mrs. Taylor showed a video of the heart going from translucent to pink.
"This is the first step to truly treating heart disease - the number one cause of death in men, women and children worldwide. I want to give that heart to everyone," said Dr. Exciting science.
The heart is made from pig hearts and human cells.
Advanced Solutions Company CEO, Michael Golway, appreciates Ms. Taylor's work and perseverance on the multi-year project.
Mr. Golway said: 'Dr Taylor persevered for years, battling setbacks to find and grow the right type of cell.
Ms. Taylor was first interested in growing hearts for transplants while working at Duke University in 1988. They injected human cells into the damaged heart of a rabbit.
In 2008, she achieved success when she and a team at the University of Minnesota removed heart cells from a mouse and began working on the remaining configuration.
After this breakthrough, she turned to experiment with pig hearts because of their anatomical similarity to humans.
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