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UAB to research pig-to-human kidney transplants, Waterfest continues in Tuscaloosa

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is one of five institutions that are researching the possibility of using genetically modified pig tissue for human kidney transplants.

UAB is receiving a $19.5 million grant from United Therapeutics Corp. to begin a xenotransplantation program. School officials announced the five-year grant on Friday.

UAB is a leading kidney transplant center, and the program aims to transplant genetically modified kidneys created from pig tissue within five years.

Researcher Joseph Tector has been recruited from Indiana University to lead the new program at UAB.

The work could save lives since thousands of people die each year awaiting transplants.

Alabama teachers will soon be able to share the secrets of the soil with their students.

The Alabama Farmer’s Federation is hosting a free summer institute called Ag in the Classroom this June. Teachers and other school professionals for kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to apply.

Mary Johnson is the Director of News Services for the Alabama Farmer’s Federation. She says that past institutes have exposed teachers to a wide variety of farming operations.

“They’ve gone to a bee and honey operation. They’ll also go to row crop operations where they’ll get to see soybeans and cotton growing in the field or maybe visit with a farmer who’s a poultry operator.”

Teachers should apply online by April fifteenth. They can earn continuing education units at the institute.

This weekend on Lake Tuscaloosa you can go fishing for more than just fish.

Waterfest is an annual event that invites the community to help remove trash and debris from their local lakes. Last year, volunteers removed around 7,000 pounds of trash from Lake Tuscaloosa.

Steven Daily is the deputy director of the water and sewer department for the city of Tuscaloosa. He says they are trying to give the community ownership of the lake in hopes that they will be aware of what trash they leave behind.

“There’s two things we’re trying to do. One is Lake Tuscaloosa, a lot of people are moving up there and enjoying living on the lake and it’s to bring an awareness about the fact that that’s our drinking water reservoir, and so it’s really to educate people on the importance of Lake Tuscaloosa and the importance of keeping your drinking source water in good shape. You know, clean and unpolluted.”

Waterfest will continue at the Rock Quarry and Highway 43 Binion Creek boat landings tomorrow from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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