Transplanted mouse fetal cells morph into viable rat kidneys

Japanese researchers at the Jikei University School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University and elsewhere have taken the generation of new organs and transplantation to a whole new level. As the newspaper The Mainichi reports, the scientists grew rat kidneys from cells transplanted from mouse fetuses. They accomplished this through a complex process involving, in part, the creation of genetically modified mice whose cells died after they took a particular medicine. After that, the newly formed kidneys from the mice were taken out and transplanted into rats given antibody suppressants. Over time, the kidneys took on the rats' blood vessels and produced their genetic information, and then subsequent medicine killed off the remaining mouse cells, leaving behind potentially functional kidneys with the rats' genetic details. In time, they hope their accomplishment could help treat liver disease. Story