Posted on 11/09/2013 7:21:32 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
A group of US scientists have created the world’s smallest human liver which can survive for forty days and works like the real thing – using a 3D printer.
The mini-livers, made by California-based medical research company Organvo, are just half a millimetre deep and four millimetres wide but can perform most of the functions that a real liver can.
The printer builds up 20 layers of hepatocytes cells, which carry out liver functions, along with two major types of liver cell. It also adds cells from the lining of a blood vessel. This allows the liver cells to receive nutrients and oxygen.
The most recent liver created survived for 40 days in the lab, which might not seem very long as human liver cells are replaced every 300 to 500 days, but the company’s previous mini-liver only survived for five days.
Keith Murphy, Organovo’s chief executive officer said: ‘In April we were able to show that liver function was retained in our 3D liver for over five days, and we have now demonstrated that our tissues perform consistently for at least 40 days, a significant improvement over the average 48 hour performance of 2D cultures.’
While research is in the early stages, scientists believe that future versions could be used for transplants.
No, I thought it was clear it was meant partly in facetious and in part that I just can;t get myself to care about these things anymore until a true miracle happens. I’m too jaded to think of even this as an actual miracle, (yes I know, I have severe problems, hopefully I can overcome them and not let them get me committed or killed).
Can they print me a Kate Upton?
The strategy will probably be to grow an entire new heart from your cells.
“My pixelated heart”
And a spare peter?
There’s a commercial running for a new show with James Woods. He comments that in 100 years, we may be immortal. Well, I don’t know about immortal, but there seems to be no end to what these 3D printers can do. Imagine if everyone who needs one can get a kidney, a heart, a liver, or a lung? A new hand after an accident? Amazing, and apparently, not unlikely.
Can we print Democrats new brains?
yeah, but the human spirit is still God made.
Can they do a spine? I know some people in the gop who need one.
They are working on it, but they haven't been able to print her with a bikini on. Sorry.
I have to believe that they’re using the term, 3D printer, in a way different from that which we’re accustomed to. I can’t imagine that it’s possible to make infinitely complex human cells from inorganic materials. Maybe these are nano machines.
Just like a printer uses pre-made plastic to print a kewpie doll, the 'ink' has to be prepared first.
/johnny
Only 40 days? That’s not much bang for the buck.
OK. That makes more sense.
Drink up everyone, we have a cure.
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