researcher on cusp of organ-transplant breakthrough

[Lee]

Less than two years after getting a kidney transplant, Robert Waddell is living a life that most transplant recipients can only dream of — one free of anti-rejection medications.

The 44-year-old Louisville father of four is part of an experimental study by researchers at the University of Louisville and Northwestern University that uses specially processed stem cells from his kidney donor to help give Waddell a combined immune system that lets his body recognize the donated organ as his own.

Read the article.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/2011303070003

 

[Jeannine]

I read about this type of procedure last year. It certainly makes sense to me.

If it can prevent transplant recipients from having to take so many drugs to prevent rejection it would prolong the lives of transplants recipients.

 

[barbara]

This is the only practical way to do kidney transplants.

 

[carmen868]

will this be the same for the lungs and other organs of the body? i sure hope so.

 

[barbara]

Kidneys come from living donors where the other major organs for transplants do not. This is an obstacle that they have yet to overcome.