Samples of intestinal tissue were taken from mice and transplanted within the abdomen of other mice, using biodegradable polymers as scaffolding. Engineered small intestines grew on the scaffolding with all of the cell types found in native intestine.
An engineered small intestine could aid premature infants who have necrotizing enterocolitis, which occurs when the intestine is injured.
Read the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles release on the creation of the small intestine.
Related Articles on the Gastrointestinal Tract:
Study: Daily Use of Healthy Gut Flora Could Prevent Obesity
NewYork Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center Opens Center for Digestive Care
Study: New Biopsy Needle Accurately Diagnoses Cancers of GI Tract
