UK scientists have successfully transplanted fully functioning food pipes grown in a lab into mini pigs, offering hope to young patients like two-year-old Casey Mcintyre who was born with 11cm missing from his oesophagus. The breakthrough, reported in the journal Nature Biotechnology, uses the animals' own cells and does not require anti-rejection drugs. Eight pigs had the transplants and recovered well, developing working swallowing muscles to squeeze food down towards the stomach. Five survived to the six-month end point of the trial and their grafts had functional muscle, nerves, and blood vessels. The team hopes to offer the treatment to children within the next five years.