Research at WFIRM

The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine is working to grow tissues and organs and develop healing cell therapies for more than 30 different areas of the body, from bladder and trachea to cartilage and heart. We’re an international leader in translating scientific discovery into clinical therapies. Our scientists have been the first in the world to reach a number of research successes, including the implantation of a laboratory-grown organ into humans.

In 2006, we reported long-term success implanting bladders that were engineered in the laboratory into young patients with spina bifida. Today, this technology continues to be evaluated in patients with spinal cord injuries and a similar technology in patients with bladder cancer. In 2011, we reported long-term success implanting engineered urine tubes (urethras) in five boys -- a promising new treatment that is also being evaluated in clinical trials.

Select one of the featured research initiatives below to learn more about the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s regenerative and stem cell research.

• Cell and Gene Therapies
• Replacement Tissues and Organs
• Military Projects