Gene Edited Pig Kidney Successfully Transplanted Into Monkey Model
A new study published in Nature reports the successful transplantation of genetically modified pig kidneys into non-human primates, achieving long-term survival of up to ~two years. Genetic modifications in donor pigs, including the removal of antigen-coding genes, the addition of human transgenes and the elimination of pig retroviruses, played a crucial role in overcoming the challenge of organ rejection. This breakthrough brings xenotransplantation, using animal organs for human transplants, a step closer to clinical testing and offers hope for addressing the issue of organ shortage.
Lead author Dr. Wenning Qin joined Technology Networks in an exclusive interview to discuss the research study and how the findings will impact the future of xenotransplantation.
