Hello All,

A bit of background is required here.

So some of you folks may have heard of this study: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lab-grown-vaginas-implanted-successfully-in-4-teenagers/

The TLDR version is that the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine recently conducted a pilot study to design lab grown vaginas for women born with non-functional vaginas. The results were quite promising, but the sample size was small.

Being a trans woman, and an academic, I figured "why not" and contacted them congratulating them on their work and asking if they had any plans for future studies with Transgendered women.

They said that more research was needed (not surprising), but also that if people were interested in the research and wanted to be added to their database, then they could contact their very awesome administrative manager.

Now, I know a lot of trans women will be chomping at the bit for something like this, so I want to emphasize something. These people are doing good work and being nice, please do not be jerks. Also they are under no obligation to do anything at all.

That said, if you're interested, you should send an email containing your legal name, your date of birth, your address, your phone number and your email address here: tbowen@wakehealth.edu

They already have quite a list, but they did say they were okay with people letting them know they're interested.

Edit: Tried to post this earlier and it didn't go through, sorry about that.

Quote from: Karen345 on November 20, 2014, 06:14:08 PM
Hello All,

A bit of background is required here.

So some of you folks may have heard of this study: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lab-grown-vaginas-implanted-successfully-in-4-teenagers/

The TLDR version is that the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine recently conducted a pilot study to design lab grown vaginas for women born with non-functional vaginas. The results were quite promising, but the sample size was small.

Being a trans woman, and an academic, I figured "why not" and contacted them congratulating them on their work and asking if they had any plans for future studies with Transgendered women.

They said that more research was needed (not surprising), but also that if people were interested in the research and wanted to be added to their database, then they could contact their very awesome administrative manager.

Now, I know a lot of trans women will be chomping at the bit for something like this, so I want to emphasize something. These people are doing good work and being nice, please do not be jerks. Also they are under no obligation to do anything at all.

That said, if you're interested, you should send an email containing your legal name, your date of birth, your address, your phone number and your email address here: tbowen@wakehealth.edu

They already have quite a list, but they did say they were okay with people letting them know they're interested.

Edit: Tried to post this earlier and it didn't go through, sorry about that.

I have some conversation with Dr. Atala a few months ago, he is the medical director at the WFIMR. I am sure he will win the nobel prize someday, his work is truly novel and cutting edge.

Quote from: peky on November 20, 2014, 09:02:46 PM
I have some conversation with Dr. Atala a few months ago, he is the medical director at the WFIMR. I am sure he will win the nobel prize someday, his work is truly novel and cutting edge.

Cool! Any hints on how his team is going to amaze us next?

Well, basically they take a small sample of any mucosal tissue (it can be taken form the mouth, genitals, etc) and then they dissociate the cells in the lab. Next, they grow the cells in a 3-D scaffold in the shape of a vagina, finally, the take this lab grown vaginea and implanted into your body. You will have to have the external vagina constructed from your existing tissues but the "vaginal canal" will come from the lab.

The advantage? no more dilation, and some self lubrication...

Quote from: peky on November 21, 2014, 05:24:25 PM
Well, basically they take a small sample of any mucosal tissue (it can be taken form the mouth, genitals, etc) and then they dissociate the cells in the lab. Next, they grow the cells in a 3-D scaffold in the shape of a vagina, finally, the take this lab grown vaginea and implanted into your body. You will have to have the external vagina constructed from your existing tissues but the "vaginal canal" will come from the lab.

The advantage? no more dilation, and some self lubrication...

Cool! So they've actually talked about doing the procedure with trans women?

Quote from: Karen345 on November 21, 2014, 11:52:50 PM
Cool! So they've actually talked about doing the procedure with trans women?

Um, No. Sorry.

It would be great if it worked, but I wonder about the difference in anatomy between a male and female body? is there enough room for it?

I wonder if there will be a DIY 3D printer version in the year 2150. 

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on November 22, 2014, 04:52:51 AM
Um, No. Sorry.

Wait, you spoke to them too?