- 14 Mar 2002
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Last Monday, Japanese startup PorMedTec announced a significant breakthrough in xenotransplantation: the successful transplantation of a genetically modified pig kidney into a crab-eating macaque. This groundbreaking procedure, led by researchers from Kagoshima University and Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, represents a first in Japan and holds promise for future human organ transplants.
The 7-year-old male macaque received a kidney from a 2.5-month-old pig, whose genes had been modified to minimize the risk of viral infection and immune rejection. As of Monday afternoon, the monkey remained in stable condition, and the transplanted kidney was functioning normally, as evidenced by urine production.
Hisashi Sahara, one of the lead researchers, expressed optimism about the future of xenotransplantation, stating that the team aims to continue making progress in monkey transplantation research and ultimately pave the way for practical applications in human medicine.
www.japantimes.co.jp
The 7-year-old male macaque received a kidney from a 2.5-month-old pig, whose genes had been modified to minimize the risk of viral infection and immune rejection. As of Monday afternoon, the monkey remained in stable condition, and the transplanted kidney was functioning normally, as evidenced by urine production.
Hisashi Sahara, one of the lead researchers, expressed optimism about the future of xenotransplantation, stating that the team aims to continue making progress in monkey transplantation research and ultimately pave the way for practical applications in human medicine.
Startup transplants pig kidney into monkey for first time in Japan
It is hoped that the operation will provide insights into the future use of animal kidneys in humans.
Link:
PorMedTec Co. Ltd.
Generating designated pathogen-free (DPF) pigs with enhanced functions using cutting-edge bioengineering technologies, including somatic cell cloning.
