These are not for transplants but will be used for medical research, and may offer new information with genomics and the study of prostate cancer.  BD  image

Researchers report today that they grew prostate glands—important for reproduction in male mammals—in mice using a single stem cell  transplanted from the prostates of donor mice. The findings may pave the way to new therapies for prostate cancer, which strikes one in six men in the U.S.
This year, more than 186,000 men—mostly over age 65—will be diagnosed with this form of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, Md; some 28,000 men lose their battle with the disease each year.

By the way, don't expect the prostate-making mice to spark regeneration schemes for the reproductive gland. Given that no clear need exists for it, says Arnon Krongrad, founder and medical director of The Krongrad Institute for minimally invasive prostate surgery in Aventura, Fla., "most men would be pleased to get rid of the prostate, a potential source of symptomatic enlargement, painful inflammation and potentially fatal cancer."

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=growing-prostate-glands-from-stem-cells

Hat Tip:  Medgadget

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