Miniature human kidneys grown in mice
Israeli scientists have succeeded in using stem cells to grow miniature human kidneys in mice. Scientists believe that growing new kidneys for humans may one day provide a solution to the shortage of donor organs. The researchers, headed by Yair Reisner from the Weizmann Institute of Science, took human and pig stem cells destined to become kidney cells and transplanted them into mice. Both the human and pig tissue grew into perfect kidneys the size of a mouse's kidney. Both kidneys were proved to be functional. The blood supply within the new organs was provided by host blood vessels, rather than donor blood vessels, which also reduces the risk of rejection by the recipient Research is currently at a pre-clinical stage, but treatment could be available within a few years.