Ep 14. Lung Growing

Innovation Nation is a television show that celebrates innovation and inventiveness in various industries, from science and engineering to agriculture and medicine. The show is hosted by Mo Rocca, who explores some of the most exciting and cutting-edge discoveries and technologies that are changing our world.

Season 2 episode 14 of Innovation Nation is entitled "Lung Growing," and it focuses on a groundbreaking technology that could revolutionize lung transplantation and treatment. The episode opens with Rocca introducing the topic by discussing the importance of the lungs and the devastating impact of lung disease.

We then meet Dr. Tracy Grikscheit, a pediatric surgeon and researcher at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, who is working on a technology that could make it possible to grow a lung outside of the human body. Grikscheit explains that current treatment options for lung disease are limited, and that the only real cure is a lung transplant. However, there are far more patients in need of lungs than there are donor lungs available, and even when a donor lung is available, there is often a risk of rejection or complications.

To address this problem, Grikscheit and her team have developed a method for growing lungs in a lab using stem cells. The process involves creating a scaffold using a pig lung, which is then stripped of all its cells, leaving only the structure of the organ. Stem cells from the patient are then used to grow new lung tissue on the scaffold, creating a fully functioning, personalized, and immune-compatible lung.

We follow Grikscheit and her team through the process of creating a lab-grown lung, from selecting the right pig lung to harvesting the stem cells to carefully attaching the new tissue to the scaffold. Rocca also speaks to patients who could benefit from this technology, including 11-year-old Eva and her mother, who are both living with a rare genetic condition that affects their lungs.

As always on Innovation Nation, the episode is not just about showcasing a new technology, but also about highlighting the human stories behind it. We see the emotional impact that lung disease can have on patients and their families, and the hope that this technology could bring to so many people.

The "Lung Growing" episode also features several other inventors and innovators, including a company that is using bacteria to create sustainable textiles, an artist who paints portraits using a robot, and a group of students who have designed a new type of wheelchair that can climb stairs.

Overall, the "Lung Growing" episode of Innovation Nation is a fascinating look at a technology that could dramatically improve the lives of millions of people living with lung disease. The show strikes a great balance between explaining the science behind the technology and exploring its potential impact on real people. As always, Rocca brings his unique mix of humor, curiosity, and genuine interest to the episode, making for an engaging and informative watch.