Organ research and treatments – general thread

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Dual-mode MRI nanoprobe mimics biological processes to pinpoint early fibrosis in fatty liver disease

by Zhao Weiwei, Chinese Academy of Sciences
https://phys.org/news/2025-04-dual-mode ... imics.html

A research team has developed an innovative biomimetic dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nanoprobe for detecting early-stage liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

The work, using the Steady High Magnetic Field Facility (SHMFF), was recently published in Advanced Science. The team was led by Prof. Wang Junfeng at the High Magnetic Field Laboratory, the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

NAFLD is a growing global health concern with even higher rates among individuals with obesity or type 2 diabetes. Detecting liver fibrosis early, before it becomes irreversible, is crucial for timely intervention and treatment. While MRI is a promising non-invasive tool for identifying liver fibrosis, traditional imaging techniques often lack the sensitivity to catch early-stage changes. Conventional contrast agents either face safety concerns or fail to target fibrotic tissues specifically.

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Human gut fungus reverses liver disease in mice
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05- ... liver.html
by Justin Jackson , Medical Xpress

Researchers at Peking University have discovered that a filamentous gut fungus, Fusarium foetens, can reverse metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in mice. These findings have implications for developing microbiome-based therapies to treat fatty liver disease.

Metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and includes progressive forms such as MASH. Approximately 25% of adults are affected globally. MASH can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Only one drug has been approved for treatment, a thyroid hormone receptor β-selective agonist. Additional therapies are urgently needed.

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Portable device could make functional eye transplants a reality
By Ben Coxworth
August 18, 2025
https://newatlas.com/medical-devices/ey ... t-machine/

Despite what some movies may suggest, it's currently impossible to transplant functional, seeing human eyeballs. Scientists are taking a big step in that direction, however, with the development of an eye-transplant device known as the eye-ECMO.

First of all, we should note that it is possible to transplant non-functional eyes into empty eye sockets for aesthetic purposes, such as during face transplants. Unfortunately, however, those eyes are incapable of seeing.

This is due mainly to the fact that eyes require a constant supply of oxygenated blood, which is difficult to supply after an eye has been removed from a donor's body. If that flow of oxygen ceases for even a short time, the eye's retina will permanently cease to function.

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Scientists Create a Kidney Compatible With All Blood Types
Making a Type-O kidney from a donor of another blood type has long been synthetic medicine's white whale.
By Graham Templeton October 17, 2025

The existence of different blood types is one of the most frustrating realities of human biology, offering very little in the way of utility while making even simple medical procedures much more difficult. We all know the problems blood type causes for simple blood donation, but the issue is just as big for organ transplants.

Scientists have published a landmark study showing progress in turning a Type-A donor's kidney into a universal Type-O transplant. The transplant was done on a clinically brain-dead patient and mainly demonstrated encouraging results. There's definitely room for the technique to advance, but it's an incredible achievement for a first-ever transplant.

https://www.extremetech.com/science/sci ... lood-types

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Previously unknown bacterial component in kidney stone formation discovered

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01- ... idney.html

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Lab-grown mini-stomachs could boost understanding of rare diseases

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01- ... boost.html

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Breakthrough: Scientists Created a 'Universal' Kidney To Match Any Blood Type
By David Neld
February 6, 2026

Introduction:

(Science Alert) After a decade of work, researchers are closer than ever to a key breakthrough in kidney transplants: being able to transfer kidneys from donors with different blood types than the recipients, which could significantly speed up waiting times and save lives.

In research published last year, a team from institutions across Canada and China reported creating a 'universal' kidney that, in theory, can be accepted by any patient.

Their test organ survived and functioned for several days in the body of a brain-dead recipient, whose family consented to the research.

"This is the first time we've seen this play out in a human model," said biochemist Stephen Withers, from the University of British Columbia in Canada, when the study was published in October.

"It gives us invaluable insight into how to improve long-term outcomes."

Read more here: https://www.sciencealert.com/breakthro ... lood-type

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