Development of techniques to expand enteric neural crest-stem/progenitor cells and to administer them to the human neonatal colon for repair of the enteric nervous system deficiciency in Hirschsprung disease.

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Gastrointestinal tract function is controlled by nerves in the intestine. These are missing in a small segment of the colon in the serious birth defect Hirschsprung disease. Current treatment is surgical removal of the affected colon segment, but instead, it may be possible to use nerve stem cells to provide some functional recovery. In particular, we are facing two practical questions: How can we produce enough nerve stem cells? and: How can these nerve stem cells be emplaced in the colon wall?