Dr. Tung Shu

Dr. Shu’s primary research focus is in the field of tissue engineering.

With significant advances in the fields of bio-engineering and bio-materials science — and the great strides made every day in the field of stem cell biology — the dream of creating new organs and tissues to replace diseased ones is no longer just science fiction. It is a goal that can be reached in the near future.

Current studies are testing the possibility of replacing organs or structures with a biological or synthetic matrix, either alone or in combination with seeded stem or autologous cells.

In one ongoing study, Dr. Shu, along with his research colleague, Dr. Gilad Amiel, is testing a novel model of a tissue-engineered conduit to replace the native ureter, the structure that normally transports urine from the kidney to the bladder, in a large porcine animal model. This approach holds promise of eliminating the need for, and complications associated with, the gastrointestinal segments typically used for patients who need reconstructive surgery of the urinary tract.

To help minimize the morbidity of such a major operation, a laparoscopic approach is used to implant the engineered ureteral replacement construct. The integrity and function of the engineered and transplanted segment is being studied over time in the animal models, with the goal of developing and validating constructs that can be used in human patients in the near future.

Dr. Tung Shu

Dr. Shu’s primary research focus is in the field of tissue engineering.

With significant advances in the fields of bio-engineering and bio-materials science — and the great strides made every day in the field of stem cell biology — the dream of creating new organs and tissues to replace diseased ones is no longer just science fiction. It is a goal that can be reached in the near future.

Current studies are testing the possibility of replacing organs or structures with a biological or synthetic matrix, either alone or in combination with seeded stem or autologous cells.

In one ongoing study, Dr. Shu, along with his research colleague, Dr. Gilad Amiel, is testing a novel model of a tissue-engineered conduit to replace the native ureter, the structure that normally transports urine from the kidney to the bladder, in a large porcine animal model. This approach holds promise of eliminating the need for, and complications associated with, the gastrointestinal segments typically used for patients who need reconstructive surgery of the urinary tract.

To help minimize the morbidity of such a major operation, a laparoscopic approach is used to implant the engineered ureteral replacement construct. The integrity and function of the engineered and transplanted segment is being studied over time in the animal models, with the goal of developing and validating constructs that can be used in human patients in the near future.