GOSH and UCL Scientists Successfully Implant First Lab-Grown Esophagus to Restore Swallowing in Large Animal Models

GOSH and UCL scientists create the first functional lab-grown esophagus, using a patient’s own cells to restore swallowing and eliminate organ rejection.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 5:39 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from University College London

A Synthetic Solution for Complex Organ Repair

The field of regenerative medicine has reached a significant milestone with the creation of the first lab-grown esophagus capable of restoring full digestive function. Scientists from Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and University College London (UCL) successfully engineered a functional food pipe by combining a decellularised donor scaffold with a recipient’s own cells. This process allowed the organ to be recognized as native tissue by the body, effectively eliminating the risk of rejection. Unlike previous attempts that only replaced small patches of tissue, this study marks the first time a full section of the organ has been safely replaced and grown alongside a developing animal.

Addressing the Critical Gap in Neonatal Care

The primary clinical target for this technology is long-gap esophageal atresia (LGOA), a life-threatening condition where babies are born with a significant physical disconnection in their food pipe. Currently, around 180 infants are born with esophageal atresia in the UK annually, with 10% suffering from the "long-gap" variation that prevents immediate surgical closure. Traditional treatments often require aggressive "stomach pull-up" procedures or intestinal transpositions, which carry high risks of respiratory issues and gastrointestinal complications. This new regenerative approach offers a less invasive alternative that utilizes a child’s own biological material to bridge the gap during the critical early months of development.

The Bioengineering Process Behind the Graft

The production of the personalized organ begins with a pig donor esophagus, chosen for its anatomical similarity to the human food pipe. Through a rigorous decellularisation process, all animal cells are stripped away to leave behind a neutral, tube-shaped collagen scaffold. This structure is then repopulated with muscle cells harvested from the recipient through a small biopsy. According to Dr. Marco Pellegrini, a senior researcher at UCL, these cells are multiplied and injected into the scaffold before being placed in a bioreactor for a week to mature. The entire timeline for creating the graft is approximately two months, a window that aligns perfectly with the standard waiting period for LGOA surgeries.