MGI(SH:688114) Nan Fang Du Shi Bao·2025-09-01 09:46Core Viewpoint - A groundbreaking achievement in organ transplantation has been made by Chinese scientists, marking the world's first successful transplantation of gene-edited pig lungs into a brain-dead patient, which functioned effectively for over 10 days [1] Group 1: Breakthrough in Organ Transplantation - The successful transplantation represents a significant advancement in xenotransplantation, a concept that has been pursued for over a century [4] - Pigs are considered ideal organ donors due to their organ size and function being similar to humans, but the human immune system poses a major challenge [4][5] - The use of gene editing technology has allowed for modifications in the pig's genome, effectively creating a "pass" for the pig organs to be accepted by the human body [5] Group 2: Role of BGI Genomics - BGI Genomics, based in Shenzhen, played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the transplantation by utilizing its high-throughput sequencing technology [8] - The DNBSEQ sequencing platform conducted comprehensive genomic screening of the pig lung, identifying any potential pathogens that could pose risks to human health [8] - The sequencing process provided a detailed "health report" confirming the absence of known pathogens, which was essential for the success of the surgery [8] Group 3: Implications for Future Transplantation - The surgery was successful, with the transplanted pig lung performing normal respiratory functions without signs of acute rejection [9] - This historic step indicates the feasibility of xenogeneic lung transplantation, offering hope to countless patients awaiting suitable organ donors [9] - The advancements in gene editing and reliable domestic sequencing platforms highlight the potential for future breakthroughs in organ transplantation [9]