Posted on 07/28/2018 2:40:48 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Long term, the goal of 3D bioprinting is to be able to 3D print fully functioning organs which can be used to replace the failing biological organs of humans in need of a transplant. That may still be years off, but Chicago-based biotech startup Biolife4D this week announced a major new milestone: Its ability to bioprint human cardiac tissue.
The scientific landmark followed shortly after the company opened a new research facility in Houston. It involved the printing of a human cardiac patch, containing multiple cell types which make up the human heart. It could one day be used to help treat patients who have suffered acute heart failure in order to restore lost myocardial contractility, the ability of the heart to generate force for pumping blood around the body.
“The cardiac patch that we printed demonstrated two major advancements,” Steven Morris, CEO of Biolife4D, told Digital Trends. “First, it demonstrated Biolife4D’s ability to take a patient’s own blood cells, reprogram them back into stem cells, reprogram them again to make the different type of cells which we need to 3D bioengineer our human heart viable for transplant, and then successfully 3D bioprint with those cells to make living human heart tissue. Second, this is the first time that a cardiac patch was 3D bioprinted that contains multiple cell types of which the human heart is made, and includes preliminary vascularization — all of which are needed to make a functional patch and to keep it alive after the bioprinting process.”
Given the potential life-saving ability of this technology, Biolife4D is far from alone in working toward this bioprinting goal. However, Morris noted that, while other companies have previously made similar patches, none have included each of the cell types which make up the heart, along with the vascularization needed to allow the body to nourish the cells and remove their waste products. “You can think of it like this is the first time all of the proper ingredients were used to properly make the recipe,” he continued.
Going forward, Biolife4D hopes to continue developing the patch in order to start preclinical testing in around six months. They will also continue with the broader project of printing a functioning human-scale heart by focusing on 3D bioprinting other components, such as valves, blood vessels, and a working mini-heart.
Moving closer to the day were all organs can be printed. Would love to see pancreas, kidney, and liver being 3d printed.
3d printing, blah blah.
“blood cells, reprogram them back into stem cells, reprogram them again to make the different type of cells”
I apparently missed when we figured out how to do this...
No more prisoners being killed for their organs.
I think the role of the 3d printer in the creation of bodily tissue is that the 3d printer picks up complete cells or possibly groups of cells and deposits them in a manner that builds up the desired tissue.
Individual cells aren’t being created by 3d printing.
Let me know if I’m wrong.
Start by printing veins for bypass surgery.
Can we print up a brain for Maxine Waters?
Did that already, as you can see the beta testing has indicated a step or two backward. Oddly enough they're having the same issue with Nancy Pelosi, they did clear up the drooling issues though.
Fully functional replacements for bones, tissues or organs is an incredible ground breaking concept. Hopefully the technology will be clinically available in a decade or less.
Best Hilarious post of the day!
This is hype, and is a very long way from being clinically useful or important.
As soon as we find a quick cure for the common cold, which causes more lost work-days than any other days, I will become a fan.
Print me a kidney, stat.
As is most of the 3-D printing propaganda. I am still waiting for a quick cure of the common cold.
And no more Las Vegas gamblers waking up in their hotel room bathtubs missing their livers..........
NO!!! We need that nutcase to go away sooner than later.
I knew a woman who had no heart. She was very cold.
I could have used a 3D heart printer.
God already invented it ... the Elderberry. Works on flues too !
They did using her own stem cells.
But the new brain was no improvement over the original.
Apparently, the insanity is congenital.
This sounds like it is a major step forward.
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