ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Decellularization

Decellularization is like taking a white t-shirt and dying it green. The t-shirt was the same before and after- it didn't change shape or size- but now it's green!

Decellularization is a process that removes all the living cells from an organ or tissue, like a heart or skin, leaving just the non-living parts. The non-living parts, like proteins and other structural materials, are known as the "scaffold" of the organ or tissue. The scaffold stays the same, but all the living cells are gone.

This is useful for things like transplants. Without the living cells, doctors can use the scaffold to construct a new organ or tissue, then put in the living cells so that it can properly function. It's like starting with the green t-shirt and adding the proper colored dye, so that the t-shirt looks exactly the way it should!