What is Mitochondrial Transplantation?
In the last ten years or so, scientists have discovered, through in vitro (test tubes and culture dishes) and in vivo (within living organisms) studies, that mitochondria can be transplanted from one cell to another, one tissue to another, and from one animal to another. Scientists hope to apply these methods for both primary mitochondrial disorders and for acquired mitochondrial dysfunctions in age-related diseases such as Parkinson’s, dementia including Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease.
Although far from ready for large-scale human use, mitochondrial transplantation still requires significant research and testing but holds great promise in providing a viable therapy option for many patients, including primary mitochondrial disease patients, in the future.
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