We all know how scarce donor organs are for transplant. Now a group of researchers at Genentech have found a way to grow the prostate using stem cells from mice. The findings were published in the Oct. 22 online issue of the journal Nature.
Growing human organs
While a prostate is not an organ in high demand, it demonstrates the principle of growing organs for transplant. Further this achievement was accomplished using adult stem cells and not the controversial embryonic stem cells. The potential is huge for those on transplant lists and with an aging population and longer life span, such transplants may be even more in demand. The ability to grow organs for transplant is only a matter of time.
This is an area for predictive domaining I think. A quick search turns up GrowOrgans.com and GrowNewOrgans.com and I am sure there are better ones out there.
Artificial organs
A related area to consider is artificial organs. In Nature Medicine 14, 994 (2008), the authors describe a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device, which relies on a small sensor inserted just beneath the skin that sets off an alarm when blood sugar levels get too high or too low, alerting the wearer to adjust his or her insulin intake.
Adding an insulin pump which is a technology that been around for quite some time and include a way to turn the glucose measurements into commands to the pump and you have an artificial pancreas.For diabetics this would be a godsend.
I notice a good number of domains are already taken in this area. ArtificialPancreas.com is already taken for example.
These areas are going to attract more news stories and patients will certainly be following those and trying to find information. As always buyer beware.
