Scientists hail transplant of windpipe grown in lab

THE world's first laboratory-engineered organ transplant was today heralded a major breakthrough by scientists.

Mother-of-two Claudia Castillo, 30, can enjoy life once more after doctors created an artificial airway for her using stem cells.

These "miracle" cells have the ability to develop into any type of human tissue. The pioneering medical team included British doctors and is the first to carry out such a procedure on a patient.

A series of complex procedures was needed before the transplant on Ms Castillo, from Barcelona, could take place. She had suffered a serious tuberculosis infection that damaged her airways. This left her short of breath and unable to carry out the simplest domestic tasks.

Her windpipe - or trachea - had collapsed at the point where it entered her left lung.

Researchers from Britain, Italy and Spain worked together to fashion a new branch of her windpipe. They took a section of the organ from a 51-year-old woman donor who had died from a brain haemorrhage. This was to provide a frame around which the new windpipe could be built.

A team then grew stem cells in a Bristol laboratory from Ms Castillo's bone marrow, which then multiplied. Eventually the refashioned windpipe was cut to shape and slotted into the gap left by the diseased organ.

Britain's top stem cell expert, Professor Stephen Minger of London's King's College, told the Standard the operation was hugely important for future disease treatments. As the first scientist in the UK to grow human embryonic stem cells, he said: "This is a lovely example of how basic stem cell biology continues to yield new, exciting and clinically important treatments. I commend this international research team for such a co-ordinated and successful treatment approach."

Scientists believe that in five years the same approach could be used to engineer human voice boxes for patients with cancer.

Replacements for other damaged organs such as the bowel, bladder or reproductive organs could also be a possibility.