Using 3D printing to build a real organic human kidney

Surgeon Anthony Atala demonstrates an early-stage experiment that could someday solve the organ-donor problem: a 3D printer that uses living cells to output a transplantable kidney. Using similar technology, Dr. Atala's young patient Luke Massella received an engineered bladder 10 years ago; we meet him onstage.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com

gene therapy and stem cells treatment for genetic cirrhosis

A recent paper from Nature journal reveals a big success in combining gene therapy with stem cells technologies in the treatment of a genetic type of cirrhosis. Researchers from  the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the University of Cambridge have corrected a point mutation in Alpha1-antitrypsin gene with a "molecular scalpel". This mutation prevented anitrypsin from doing its job. Antitrypsin is an important inhibitor of trypsin and protects cells from enzymatic distruction.

The Cause of the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease Discovered

It has recently been discovered that various cells that are situated in the body and help in protecting the nerves might be the cause of the Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD). This deadly disease has had a devastating effect on the Tasmanian devil population in Australia. This study that was conducted by a group of international scientists has shown that finally the cause for the Devil Facial Tumor Disease, a cancer transmissible between Tasmanian Devils and first reported in 1996, can be determined. This disease that spreads through the biting of animals is usually characterized by tumors of regular size mostly located on the mouth and face, often spreading to the internal organs.

The research that was conducted in collaboration with Australian scientists and was published in the journal Science has shown that this disease stems from the growth of Schwann cells, which are usually used for protection of the fibers of the peripheral nerve. The team, led by Dr Tony Papenfuss managed to identify a genetic marker that helped to correctly identify the cause of this cancer that has led to the Tasmanian Devil’s becoming endangered species.

Dr Elizabeth Murchison, an author for the Australian National University said that the discovery of Schwann cells was a breakthrough in finding out more about the disease as currently there were no tests or other vaccines that were available for the disease. Say Dr Murchison, “After performing biopsies on the tumors in the devils, we extracted all the necessary genetic data from them.

Dr Tony Papenfuss and his team identified the genetic signature of the tumors and compared them to other tissues, finding that these signature tumors resembled those of Schwann cells. Says University of Tasmania's Menzies Research Institute, Associate Professor Greg Woods, “The finding of these Schwann cell has been a remarkable step in the right direction toward being able to further understand the disease.” All Tasmanian Devil’s usually develop tumors that are of different types and sizes. These findings will help us completely understand and identify the responsible tumors for DFTD as compared to other tumors that are present.

The research was conducted on behalf of the program “Save the Tasmanian Devil.” This program was undertaken as part of the research project to further explore the reasons for the DFTD. It was also supported by The University of Tasmania's, Dr Eric Guiler’s Tasmanian Devil Research Grant and the National Health and Medical Research Council.