Cases during the past two years in which organ recipients have died from either rodent virus or West Nile virus transmitted through transplantation have prompted physicians to recommend additional measures for screening prior to transplantation or watching for signs of infection following transplantation. Noting that seven transplant patients have died during the past two years [Sign in to read the full article...]

Researchers at Harvard University and the University of California at San Francisco announced they have launched separate stem cell research programs hoping to clone human embryos for medical applications. In each program, funded privately, scientists aim to use embryonic stem cell colonies to model certain diseases. The technique could eventually be used to develop patient-specific [Sign in to read the full article...]

A team of surgeons and scientists from Melbourne, Australia, has grown three-dimensional cells from human tissue inside a plastic chamber — the first step in creating replacement organs. Previously, scientists had only been able to create two-dimensional constructions, such as skin, in a laboratory setting. “Currently we’ve been able to make breast tissue, fat muscle, [Sign in to read the full article...]

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh was recognized in the Congressional Record June 2 for establishing the world’s first and largest pediatric transplant center and for its 25 years of service. The acknowledgement was introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.). Since being established by transplant pioneer Dr. Thomas E. Starzl, the Children’s Hillman Center for Pediatric [Sign in to read the full article...]