USask researchers consider pigs for organ transplantation

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are turning science fiction into science fact by exploring the transplantation of organs from one species to another. Dr. Ali Honaramooz with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine received $250,000 through the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Exploration program, designed to provide support to “high-risk, high-reward” research projects which includes xenotransplantation. “We are at the verge of a major change with how medicine is dealing with organ failure,” Honaramooz said. The project will explore methods for creating better transgenic pigs for organ xenotransplantation. Honaramooz said USask is uniquely suited to lead this area of research due to the diverse expertise and research centres on campus. “USask has the perfect combination of having the College of Medicine with an organ transplant program, WCVM has expertise in creating transgenic pigs in a new way that gives us an advantage and VIDO is one of the few ins