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Gut Generator
11 February 2015

Gut Generator

Gut problems? Perhaps not for much longer. Scientists have recently been able to grow fully functional human intestine – albeit miniature – in mice. They harvested a small amount of human intestine (pictured) and ground it up and soaked it in an enzyme solution. The mixture was then squirted into a polymer scaffold – a protein structure used to support and help the cells grow – and then implanted into a mouse. Examining the tissue-engineered small intestine (TESI) after four weeks showed it contained many features typical of human intestines, such as specialised cells that release mucus and others that release gastrointestinal hormones. This result is a step towards pioneering this technique for human treatment. In particular, it’s hoped that it could be used to grow intestine for premature babies and newborns who suffer from malnutrition due to insufficient small intestine, also known as short bowel syndrome.

Written by Faiza Peeran

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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