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L’Espluga de Francolí hosts ‘Science in the Territory’, a conference aimed at promoting science in rural schools

The ‘Science in the Territory: Voices and Experiences in Rural Schools’ conference, held at the Terra Museum in L’Espluga de Francolí, brought science to rural areas. The event provided a platform for sharing inspiring experiences and scientific projects developed in rural schools and communities in Catalonia and other regions of Spain. The aim was to promote interconnection and foster new collaborations between individuals and organisations in the scientific, educational, and social spheres.

First transplant in pigs of modified porcine kidneys with human renal organoids

A research team has developed pioneering technology that enables human kidney organoids to be produced on a scalable basis. These organoids can then be combined with pig kidneys outside the body and transplanted back into the same animal in a viable manner. The experiment, led by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), is in the preclinical phase. It confirms the safety and viability of the procedure, paving the way for future trials involving humans. In the long term, this approach could help to extend the useful life of organs intended for transplantation and provide an alternative therapy for patients with chronic kidney disease.