ARTIFICIAL LIVER

[Oztrax]

Good news , maybe we don’t have to wait for a liver transplant after all.

I didn’t realise that machines existed that can carry out the function of the liver, at this stage they are external like kidney dialysis. Would think you have to hooked up permanently as the liver is always working.

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear Oztrax

A very timely post as the research area on the website has just has a slight revamp. Please keep an eye on this in the coming months when we'll be sharing details of more new research projects and trials.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/he...

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[wurzle]

I would have thought it'd be really difficult trying to emulate all the 500 different functions of the liver in a single device but sounds good where do I sign up? 😉

[NorbertGrubbins]

hi - it is a promising concept but I would urge caution and a load of patience - these devices have been in development for many many decades. During my research career I briefly worked in a laboratory trying to develop such a prototype, using liver cells grown externally and cultured to replicate normal liver function. The fiat consultant I saw when I was diagnosed with active liver failure was a former colleague from another research group! The current models mostly involve devices that pull out the toxins to limit ongoing damage. But they don’t have the synthetic functions not the complex detoxification abilities. However, to date the majority of research has been funded by charities etc rather than pharmaceutical companies and this can limit the scale of operations. As we saw with the covid vaccine, the industry harnessed to public will and governmental drive can achieve a lot. Hopefully, one day …

[Bobkate]

Hi, I have been following this site for a year, but today for some reason I have decided to join in.

It is a shame there is not more funding for this research. What ca we do to change this? I would certainly be happy to see a dialysis-type machine helping my body out without the need for a transplant.

Thanks - Kate.

[Oztrax]

I read somewhere the existing liver dialysis machines are biological and use cells (I am assuming liver cells) from rabbits

[wurzle in reply to Oztrax]

I hope that doesn't mean we have to eat our own poo 🐰 😂