Hybrid sheep embryo with human stem cells
Towards transplanting human organs into animals, Stanford researchers successfully created the hybrid sheep embryo with human stem cells. In which, one in every 10,000 cells was human.
The new research is another progression towards organ transplantation that has made inside animals. Previously, the same research team has made human-pig embryos.
Brew Whitlow, a professor of animal biotechnology at the Scottish Institute of Roslin, said, in genetic science the newest achievement of embryo production with human cells as a remarkable step. To create hybrid embryos, researchers allowed human stem cells into sheep embryos, which develop for 28 days. The stem cells will develop to replace the missing organ.
Dr. Pablo Ross from the University of California, said, one in 10,000 cells in these sheep embryos are human, but still not generate an organ.
Function of developing organs in sheep and pig are very similar
Researchers said, the function of developing organs in sheep and pig are very similar as human beings. But, there are several advantages to using sheep embryos. For a pig we typically transfer 50 embryos to one recipient, but with the sheep we transfer four embryos to one recipient. This implies less embryos needed for one experiment.
Using animals as hosts for developing human organs for transplantation could reduce both organ holding up records. In the UK, last year almost 500 people died while waiting for a transplant.
As the patient’s own cells could be used in the procedure, which means the organs will be genetically compatible with the patient receiving them. We are investigating all alternatives to give organs to poor people.
