Scientists say find brings pig organ transplants a step closer

Published on Tuesday 2 June 2009 22:01

ORGANS from pigs could one day be used in human transplant operations, scientists said yesterday, following a new stem cell breakthrough.

Researchers have managed to make cells from pigs transform into pluripotent stem cells – cells with qualities like embryonic stem cells and capable of turning into any type of cell in the body.

The development could lead to scientists being able to genetically engineer animals for organ transplants in humans.

It could also help to create models to study genetic human diseases, as well as developing pigs which are resistant to diseases such as swine flu.

The breakthrough by Chinese scientists marks the first time that induced pluripotent stem cells have been created in animals with hooves – known as ungulates.

Dr Lei Xiao, who led the research, said: "To date, many efforts have been made to establish ungulate pluripotent embryonic stem cells from early embryos without success.

"This is the first report in the world of the creation of domesticated ungulate pluripotent stem cells.

"Therefore, it is entirely new, very important and has a number of applications for both human and animal health."

Writing in the Journal of Molecular Cell Biology, the researchers described how they used a cocktail of "reprogramming factors" which were introduced into cells using a virus.

The cells were originally taken from a pig's ear and bone marrow.

But the manipulation by scientists led to them changing and developing into cells with embryonic-like qualities.