Stem cells have the ability to grow into many other types of cell. if so, why its still not possible to grow a functional organ in the lab?

Friday, May 22, 2009

 Let's consider all of the things you would need to make an organ - say, a kidney - in a lab dish.

1. First, you need to obtain a type of stem cell that can ultimately become a kidney. Would this be an embryonic stem cell? A fetal stem cell? Will an adult stem cell do the job? How do you know? Where will you get the cells?
   
   
2. Next, you have to coax the stem cells to grow and divide in a lab dish. Which nutrients will help them grow? Do they need other types of cells around to encourage them to divide? If so, can you obtain them?
   
   
3. After you have enough stem cells, you must simulate the physical environment required for them to differentiate into a functional kidney. How do you make the cells begin differentiating? Can you simulate the physical environment they need? Can you create a physical scaffold, or foundation, upon which the cells can shape themselves into a kidney? How will you help the developing kidney grow blood vessels to supply oxygen and nutrients to cells on the interior?
   
   

Scientists are still years away from growing whole human organs in lab dishes - but not for lack of trying. Research groups around the world have convinced various types of stem cells to grow, divide and even differentiate in lab dishes. Most of this research is performed in stem cells obtained from other organisms, such as mice, rats and frogs.

The final step, creating a functional organ out of differentiating stem cells, is more challenging. Obstacles to success include the problem of delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells on the inside of the organ, as well as creating physical scaffolds upon which to grow and differentiate cells.

reference:

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu