Scientists at MMCRI Grow a Piece of Kidney in the Lab

Scientists at Maine Medical Center Research Institute led by Dr. Leif Oxburgh succedeed at growing a tiny piece of kidney in their lab, a scientific achievement that could change the way the world treats kidney disease. This technology could potentially eliminate, or greatly reduce the need for kidney transplants. The minuscule components Oxburgh has grown – held together with silk – could eventually lead to full laboratory-grown organs. Currently the average wait time for those hoping for an organ transplant in the U.S. is 3.6 years. “Some people can’t tolerate the immune therapy, the anti-rejection drugs. This could open up transplants to a huge group of patients who could never get one” said Dr. Oxburgh. Read full story here