The post-industrial pace of human development, namely science and technology, is so great that it was impossible to imagine them 100 years ago. What previously could only be read in popular science fiction has now appeared in the real world.
The level of development of 21st century medicine is higher than ever. Diseases that were previously considered deadly dangerous are now successfully treated. However, the problems of oncology, AIDS and many other diseases have not yet been resolved. Fortunately, in the near future there will be a solution to these problems, one of which will be the cultivation of human organs.
Bioengineering Basics
Science, which uses the biology information base and uses analytical and synthetic methods to solve its problems, was born not so long ago. Unlike conventional engineering, which uses technical sciences for its activity, mostly mathematics and physics, bioengineering goes further and uses innovative methods in the form of molecular biology.
One of the main tasks of the newly-made scientific and technical sphere is the cultivation of artificial organs in the laboratory with the aim of their further transplantation into the body of a patient who has refused one or another organ due to damage or due to deterioration. Based on three-dimensional cellular structures, scientists were able to advance in studying the influence of various diseases and viruses on the activity of human organs.
Unfortunately, so far these are not full-fledged organs, but only organoids - the rudiments, an unfinished collection of cells and tissues that can only be used as experimental samples. Their performance and livability are tested on experimental animals, mainly on different rodents.
Historical reference. Transplantology
The growth of bioengineering as a science was preceded by a long period of development of biology and other sciences, the purpose of which was the study of the human body. At the beginning of the 20th century, transplantology received an impetus for its development, whose task was to study the possibility of transplanting a donor organ to another person. The creation of techniques that can preserve donor organs for some time, as well as the experience and detailed plans for transplantation, allowed surgeons from around the world to successfully transplant organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys in the late 60s.
At the moment, the principle of transplantation is most effective if the patient is in mortal danger. The main problem is an acute shortage of donor organs. Patients can wait their turn for years, and so did not wait. In addition, there is a high risk that the transplanted donor organ may not take root in the body of the recipient, since the patient’s immune system will consider it as a foreign object. In opposition to this phenomenon, immunosuppressants were invented, which, however, are more likely to be crippled than treated - human immunity is catastrophically weakened.
The benefits of artificial transplantation
One of the main competitive differences in the method of organ growth from transplantation from a donor is that in laboratory conditions, organs can be produced on the basis of tissues and cells of a future recipient. Basically, stem cells are used that have the ability to differentiate into cells of certain tissues. The scientist is able to control this process from the outside, which significantly reduces the risk of future organ rejection by the human immune system.
Moreover, using the method of artificial organ cultivation, an unlimited number of organs can be produced, thereby satisfying the vital needs of millions of people. The principle of mass production will significantly lower organ prices, saving millions of lives and significantly increasing human survival and pushing back the date of his biological death.
Bioengineering Achievements
Today, scientists are able to grow the rudiments of future organs - organoids on which they experience various diseases, viruses and infections in order to trace the infection process and develop counteraction tactics. The success of the functioning of organelles is checked by their transplantation into the bodies of animals: rabbits, mice.
It is also worth noting that bioengineering has achieved certain successes in creating complete tissues and even in growing organs from stem cells, which, unfortunately, cannot be transplanted to humans due to their inoperability. However, at the moment, scientists have learned to artificially create cartilage, blood vessels, and other connecting elements.
Skin and bones
Not so long ago, scientists at Columbia University managed to create a fragment of the bone, in structure similar to the joint of the lower jaw, connecting it to the base of the skull. The fragment was obtained through the use of stem cells, as in the cultivation of organs. A little later, the Israeli company Bonus BioGroup managed to invent a new method of reconstructing human bone, which was successfully tested on a rodent - artificially grown bone was transplanted into one of its paws. In this case, again, stem cells were used, only they were obtained from the patient’s adipose tissue and subsequently placed on a gel-like bone framework.
Since the 2000s, doctors have applied specialized hydrogels and methods of natural regeneration of damaged skin areas to treat burns. Modern experimental techniques can cure severe burns in a few days. The so-called Skin Gun sprays a special mixture with the patient’s stem cells on a damaged surface. Major advances have also been made in creating stably functioning skin with blood and lymph vessels.
Growing organs from cells
Recently, scientists from Michigan managed to grow in laboratory conditions a part of muscle tissue, which, however, is half as weak as the original. In the same way, scientists in Ohio created three-dimensional stomach tissues that were able to produce all the necessary digestive enzymes.
Japanese scientists have accomplished the almost impossible - they have raised a fully functioning human eye. The problem of transplantation is that it is not yet possible to attach the optic nerve of the eye to the brain. In Texas, the lungs were also grown artificially in a bioreactor, but without blood vessels, which casts doubt on their performance.
Development prospects
Not long before that moment in history, when a person can be transplanted most of the organs and tissues created in artificial conditions. Already, scientists from around the world have at their disposal project designs, experimental samples, some of which are not inferior to the originals. After some time, skin, teeth, bones, all internal organs can be created in laboratories and sold to people in need.
New technologies are also accelerating the development of bioengineering. 3D printing, which has become widespread in many areas of human life, will also be useful in the cultivation of new organs. 3D bioprinters have already been used experimentally since 2006, and in the future they will be able to create three-dimensional workable models of biological organs, transferring cell cultures to a biocompatible basis.
General conclusion
Bioengineering as a science whose goal is to grow tissues and organs for their further transplantation, originated not so long ago. The seven-mile pace at which she follows the path of progress is characterized by significant achievements that will save millions of lives in the future.
Bones and internal organs grown from stem cells will negate the need for donor organs, the number of which is already in a deficit state. Already, scientists have many developments, the results of which are not yet very productive, but have great potential.