Researchers Are Growing Human Livers From Stem Cells In Mice

Takanori Takebe

Human liver buds grown in lab dishes with stem cells

Scientists grew and then implanted "liver buds" inside mice, which then started growing into real working livers, a new study reports.

The research raises the possibility that we will be able to grow new livers inside humans in the near future.

The study was published in the journal Nature on July 3.

Cellular orchestra

Since the discovery of stem cells more than 30 years ago — those mystical cells that can become any type of cell in the body — scientists have been trying to build complete complex organs. The many different cells in complex organs grow in concert as chemical changes turn different genes inside cells on and off.  This produces new chemical changes and the cycle continues.