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Scientists Can Now 3D Print Transplantable Skin
Wall Street Pit ^ | January 29, 2017

Posted on 01/29/2017 6:51:11 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Today we can print human skin. Soon we may be able to print human organs.

A new item has just been added to the list of things that can be 3D printed: human skin. This is what researchers from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) in Spain have recently demonstrated. With a 3D printer that uses special ink composed of human cells, they were able to create human skin that looks and behaves like real skin — with a dermis and an epidermis, able to produce collagen and react like real skin does to tests done.

This artificially created human skin opens up a host of possible applications, the most important of which is skin transplants for burn victims or people with different kinds of abnormal skin conditions. Another potential use would be for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemical products testing — the more effective and ‘humane’ kind because it will make testing on animals no longer necessary.

The bioprinter used by the research team is made up of 3 units: the programmable computer that controls the activities of the bioprinter; the bio-ink storage unit which holds the cartridges containing biological components, cells and proteins that make tissue creation possible; and the printing units which perform the tissue creation. The bioprinter produces skin tissue in two ways: autologous skin production and allogenic skin production. Autologous skin production makes use of the patient’s own skin cells, and is done for therapeutic purpose. Allogenic skin production makes use of a stock of cells, and is done for industrial purpose.

3D-printing body parts is not a new concept. Ever since the discovery that living cells could be placed in printers without being destroyed, there have been numerous experimentations with print cartridges spraying out different kinds of cells and polymers to create living tissue. Right now, researchers from different areas in the world are trying 3D printing to create bones and cartilage, blood vessels, kidney tissue and liver tissue. So far, 3D-printed bones, ears and muscles have been successfully implanted into animals. And just last year, prosthetic ovaries were successfully implanted in mice by researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago. And those mice were actually able to conceive and give birth with the help of the artificially created ovaries.

In terms of human subjects, however, there’s clearly a long way to go before artificial skin can be used on burn patients and those with skin disorders. But the researchers are optimistic that they are on the right track, and that the new technology will soon be able to help bring relief to those who are in need of it.

Further down the road, the hope is that recent advances will lead to 3D-printed human transplant organs and hopefully provide a viable solution to the problem of organ donor deficiency. In fact, researchers claim that the first 3-D-printed livers and kidneys for human transplant may be ready within six years.

The study has recently been published online through the scientific journal Biofabrication.

(VIDEO-AT-LINK)


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Health/Medicine; Science
KEYWORDS: 3dprinters; 3dprinting; artificialorgans; medicine; science; skingrafts

1 posted on 01/29/2017 6:51:11 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

3d printers kill..killed 2 people and 2 cats due to carbon monoxide


2 posted on 01/29/2017 6:52:58 PM PST by RummyChick
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To: RummyChick

Imagine, years from now these printers will be in mobile hospitals and trauma units.


3 posted on 01/29/2017 7:07:04 PM PST by EQAndyBuzz ("Alinsky, you magnificent bastard, Trump read your book!")
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To: RummyChick

“3d printers kill..killed 2 people and 2 cats due to carbon monoxide”

Stupidity kills should be the headline there. It’s sad that those highly educated folks didn’t have a clue... RIP!


4 posted on 01/29/2017 7:09:19 PM PST by PreciousLiberty (Make America Greater Than Ever!)
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To: RummyChick

“3d printers kill..killed 2 people and 2 cats due to carbon monoxide”

Stupidity kills should be the headline there. It’s sad that those highly educated folks didn’t have a clue... RIP!


5 posted on 01/29/2017 7:09:21 PM PST by PreciousLiberty (Make America Greater Than Ever!)
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To: PreciousLiberty

And FR needs a “delete post” function, or at least “edit post”...


6 posted on 01/29/2017 7:10:14 PM PST by PreciousLiberty (Make America Greater Than Ever!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

They’ll need this skin to cover the Terminators.


7 posted on 01/29/2017 7:12:11 PM PST by Moonman62 (Make America Great Again!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

8 posted on 01/29/2017 7:22:53 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Incredible, he just took office on the 20th and scientists can now 3D print transplantable skin!

Thanks President Trump!


9 posted on 01/29/2017 7:49:46 PM PST by cpforlife.org (A Catholic Respect Life Curriculum is available 4 FREE at CpForLife.org)
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To: RummyChick
3d printers kill..killed 2 people and 2 cats due to carbon monoxide

Source? When I run my 3D printer, I leave a window open a bit because the wife complains about the odor.

10 posted on 01/29/2017 7:52:04 PM PST by roadcat
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Can it print 3D transplantable brains for liberals?

CC


11 posted on 01/29/2017 7:55:26 PM PST by Celtic Conservative (CC: purveyor of cryptic, snarky posts since December, 2000..)
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To: RummyChick

Found a source.

http://www.worldwideweirdnews.com/2017/01/29-3D-printer-kills-couple-two-cats-leaking-carbon-monoxide.html

When I saw the news about that couple, I didn’t realize it was due to their 3D printer. This link says it was a 3D laser printer. Mine is not that type, it just heats filament for ejection through nozzles.


12 posted on 01/29/2017 7:55:58 PM PST by roadcat
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To: RummyChick

That turned out to be a hoax.

A 3D printer did not lead to the tragic death of a couple in Berkeley, CA
https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/3d-printer-not-lead-tragic-death-couple-berkeley-ca-104614/


13 posted on 01/29/2017 8:05:32 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (You cannot invade the mainland US. There'd be a rifle behind every blade of grass.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

How bout human hair for balding people?


14 posted on 01/29/2017 8:13:30 PM PST by Democrats hate too much
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Can you order a whole pack of
Skin to
Cover your tats for job interviews?


15 posted on 01/29/2017 8:16:47 PM PST by Yaelle
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

16 posted on 01/29/2017 8:29:12 PM PST by TheDon (MAGA!)
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To: TheDon

Too late for Data, maybe Before can benefit.


17 posted on 01/29/2017 8:38:12 PM PST by PeaceBeWithYou (De Oppresso Liber! (50 million and counting in Afghanistan and Iraq))
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Bookmark.


18 posted on 01/30/2017 3:18:53 AM PST by NetAddicted (Just looking)
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