China Scientists Grow Dog Bladder Tissue in Mouse

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese scientists have successfully regrown dog bladder tissue on the back of a mouse in what state media called another big breakthrough for the nation's bio-engineers.

The feat is a step toward developing techniques for growing human tissue for transplant, a leading goal for Chinese scientists.

Both mouse and dog bladder were doing well after the transplant, which was performed by two researchers with the Beijing-based Military Medical Research Institute, the official Xinhua news agency said.

``Though carrying a 'dog bladder' as big as half a ping-pong ball, the naked mouse still runs around and looks very robust,'' the report said.

Meanwhile, the dog bladder ``has expanded fast as the cells keep absorbing nutrition from the mouse.''

China opposes human cloning but has aggressively promoted a biotechnology program to clone tissues such as cartilage and bone for the purpose of conducting human tissue transplants.

In January, China established a large research and development center in Shanghai for engineering human tissues.

Analysts say China's biotechnological successes--which also include boosting crop yields--could help offset food shortages in the region and enhance the reputation of a scientific research market with abundant young talent and a low cost base.

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