Synthetic Organs

(Above): High-magnification view of a small colony of embryonic stem cells.

(Left): YouTube video on stem cell basics.

(Below): Stem cell extraction.

Stem Cell Basics

Basics

Stem cells are cells in a body that have no specific function, however, they have the power to renew their division even after a long period of inactivity. Furthermore, they serve as a repair system, in which they divide limitlessly to replace other cells. Stem cells can be modified to become tissue or organ cells with distinct functions under a specific physiological and experimental environment. For example, a stem cell can be taken and created into a pancreatic cell and with a controlled environment, a pancreas can be created. (National Institutes of Health, 1)

Types of Stem Cells

In addition, scientists have been able to obtain and work with two main sources for stem cells. The first are adult stem cells. Adult, or somatic, stem cells are found in various organs throughout the body, however, they are harder to obtain and there is no guarantee of their performance level. The second source, the more reliable one, are embryonic stem cells, cells that have been extracted from a human embryo. They are taken by in vitro fertilization, or the fertilization of an egg by a sperm, except that it occurs in a Petri dish. (National Institutes of Health, 2)

 Background on Synthetic Organs

Growing organs – an idea once deemed wild and preposterous, is now a living legend. Scientists stepped into a realm of possibilities when they began to consider artificial organs and make advancements in the field of synthetic biology, a science that uses recombinant DNA procedures to construct new kinds of DNA, or the rewriting of two organism’s genetic codes. (Wikipedia: Synthetic Biology, 3) (Biology Online, 4)

Advancements and Challenges

Advancements in biomaterials, growth and differentiation factors, stem cells have brought forth the unique opportunities to create cells, biologically active molecules, and tissues from combinations of engineered extracellular matrices, or “scaffolds”. Major challenges that have affected the progression of tissue engineering are the needs for functional and biomechanical stability in artificially grown tissues and more intricate functionality. However, these challenges do not stand in the way, as the constant achievement of tissue engineering will grow from the union of engineering and research advances. (Wikipedia: Tissue Engineering, 5)

Aspirations

Basically, the goal of any artificial object is to do the job it was designed to do, such as withstanding the strenuous results of undertaking the body’s jobs. Synthetic organs, or organs manufactured by humans, have the same goal, however they also increase life span for people, and ensure a large role in managing patients in times of shortages in donor organs. Of course, the progression of modern technology has made it possible for improvements to be made on the simulated components. For example, scientists hope to create varieties of other tissues and organs besides hearts, such as muscles and kidneys. (Wikipedia: Synthetic Biology, 3)

How This Technology Works

Synthetic organs are made of artificial tissue similar to human organ tissue, and are designed to mimic their functions. (Fox, 6) The first successfully transplanted synthetic organ was created by a stem cell method. This organ, a bladder, was made by Anthony Atala and his colleagues at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Atala started his research in 1999 by extracting stem cells from faulty bladders of patients with spina bifida, or the defect in which the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth. The cells were then grown in petri dishes, and placed into a bladder-shaped mold. In a couple of weeks, the cells have formed into a bladder, and it is planted into a patient. The new bladder has begun to function and grow into a normal size a few weeks after the transplant. (CNN Health, 7) (Pearson, 8) Fortunately, all patients received a bladder. It’s amazing to see how the development of artificial organs has redefined the meaning of hope and possibilities.

 Anthony Atala's lab-grown bladder.

In vitro fertilization 

A lab-grown bladder in a beaker. 

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