researchers / scientistsyánjiū rényuán研究人员for the first timeshǒucì首次inzài在laboratoryshíyàn shì实验室grew / developedpéiyù chū培育出esophagus / food pipeshí guǎn食管replacement / substitutetìdài wù替代物，transplantedyízhí移植afterhòu后animaldòngwù动物eating / swallowingjìn shí进食functiongōngnéng功能restoredhuīfù恢复normalzhèngcháng正常。
March 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM
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Lifestyle & CultureUK Scientists Grow World First Lab-Made Esophagus and Successfully Transplant It in Pigs
UK researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London successfully grew the first lab-made esophagus and transplanted it in pigs, restoring normal swallowing function without immunosuppressants. The research team hopes to offer the engineered tissue to child patients within five years.
Researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London released research findings in March 2026 demonstrating the world's first laboratory-cultivated esophageal replacement. Using decellularization technology, researchers processed donor pig esophageal tissue into a cellular scaffold, then injected muscle cells from recipient pigs and cultured them in large quantities in vitro.
The esophageal replacement containing recipient cells was subsequently transplanted into eight living pigs, with all animals successfully surviving the critical first month post-operatively. By the six-month observation period's conclusion, the transplanted esophagus had developed functional muscle, nerves, and blood vessels, capable of normal contractions to transmit food.
Unlike traditional organ transplants, this process required no immunosuppressants, significantly reducing transplant risks and long-term side effects. Lead researcher Professor de Coppi stated the team hopes to provide bioengineered esophageal alternatives to children with congenital esophageal underdevelopment within five years.
Congenital esophageal atresia is a rare disease where the esophagus is partially missing at birth. This breakthrough offers important therapeutic hope for affected child patients.
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