Researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London reported functional integration of an autologous engineered esophagus in a growing large‑animal model. The Nature Biotechnology paper describes decellularized porcine scaffolds repopulated with autologous pericyte‑like myogenic precursors and fibroblasts; animals recovered swallow function and five of eight survived to the six‑month endpoint with progressive neuromuscular regeneration. Investigators used bioreactor maturation, biodegradable stents and vascularizing pleural wraps to support graft integration without immunosuppression. The 2.5‑cm implant models pediatric long‑gap esophageal atresia and demonstrates sustained peristalsis and oral feeding in a growing animal—outcomes that have eluded prior full‑segment graft efforts. The study advances translational tissue engineering for congenital esophageal defects and frames next steps toward safety, scale‑up and regulatory evaluation for human trials.