Aussie scientists grow ‘human lungs’ for testing treatments
The lab-grown airway cells mimic the human airway's response to viruses, such as coronavirus, says CSIRO research scientist Dr Elizabeth Pharo
Australian scientists have grown ‘human lungs’ in the laboratory, meaning those infected with potentially fatal viruses, such as COVID-19, could receive faster treatments.
The research would minimise animal testing and fast-track drugs for human clinical trials.
CSIRO research scientist Dr Elizabeth Pharo says their lab-grown airway cells mimic the human airway’s response to viruses and can be used to quickly test whether antiviral treatments would work against a virus in humans.
“Clinical trials for new therapeutics can take significant time and money to establish, only for researchers to frequently discover that the treatment doesn’t work in people,” Dr Pharo said in a statement.
