LONDON: British scientists claim to be for the first time
growing human body parts at a laboratory at the University
College London, which they say could soon make organ donation a
thing of the past. A team, led by professor Alexander Seifalian
of the varsity's department of nanotechnology and regenerative
medicine, claims it's actually focussing on growing replacement
organs and body parts to order, using a patient's own cells.
"This is a nose we're growing for a patient next month. It's a
world first. Nobody has ever grown a nose before," Seifalian was
quoted by 'Daily Mail' as saying. In fact, the scientists say
that when the the nose is transferred to the patient, it doesn't
go directly onto the face but will be placed inside a balloon
inserted beneath the skin on their arm. After four weeks, during
which time skin and blood vessels can grow, the nose can be
monitored, then it can be transplanted to the face, they say.
Added Adelola Oseni , a team member: "Other groups have tried to
tackle nose replacemen