Liver Regeneration

Transplant surgeons, hepatologists and other researchers are developing liver cell-based regenerative therapies for patients who'd otherwise need whole-liver transplants.

The liver has the greatest regenerative capacity of any organ in the body. Liver regeneration has been recognized for many years, dating all the way back to Prometheus in ancient Greek mythology.

When the liver is injured beyond its ability to regenerate itself, a liver transplant is the treatment of choice. Transplants are used to treat a wide range of liver conditions, including liver cancer, cirrhotic liver disease, acute liver failure and genetic liver disorders.

But as is true for most donor organs, livers are in short supply — the number of people awaiting new livers far exceeds the number of donor livers available.

Focus areas

Mayo Clinic transplant surgeons, hepatologists and other researchers in the Center for Regenerative Medicine are developing and refining a number of regenerative liver therapies for patients who today must wait for whole-liver transplants.