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Oscar Abilez
![Organoids without blood vessels can't grow larger than sesame seeds—about 3 millimeters—before dying from lack of oxygen and nutrients. UNT and Stanford researchers say they've solved this problem. Seeds pictured above are not to scale. [Image: Pinchai Puntong/istockphoto]](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Sesame-Seed-organoid-science-iStock-1487667097-940x436.jpg)
UNT and Stanford researchers say they've overcome a major barrier to artificial organ size: until now, organoids without blood vessels couldn't grow larger than about 3 millimeters—roughly the size of the sesame seeds picture above—before dying from lack of oxygen and nutrients. Seeds shown are not to scale. [Image: Pinchai Puntong/istockphoto]
First Mini Hearts and Livers With Working Blood Vessels Grown in Lab, UNT-Stanford Team Reports
by Maddie Preston | Aug 21, 2025
Scientists at at the University of North Texas and Stanford Medicine have created tiny artificial organs called organoids with fully formed blood vessel networks. The stem cell-based breakthrough could transform drug testing and disease research while reducing the need for animal models—and expand possibilities for regenerative medicine.
![Erica Kosemund, Chief Brand Officer, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Gillian Breidenbach, Chief Partnership Officer, North Texas FWC Organizing Committee; Chief Gary Batton, Chief of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Monica Paul, Executive Director of Dallas Sports Commission and President of North Texas FWC Organizing Committee; John Hobbs, Senior Executive Officer of Communications, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; and Heidi Grant, Senior Executive Officer of Commerce Administration, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, celebrate Choctaw Casinos & Resorts becoming an Official Dallas World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter. [Photo: North Texas FWC Organizing Committee/Choctaw Casinos & Resorts]](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FIFA-Choctaw-dec-2025.jpg)
