Scientists Print Functional Human “Mini-Livers”

futurism.com ^ | December 18 2019 | Victor Tangermann /

[BenLurkin]

Brazilian researchers have succesfully bioprinted tiny organoids that perform all of the human liver’s functions, Brazilian news service Agência FAPESP reports — functions including building proteins, storing vitamins and secreting bile.

The researchers had to cultivate and reprogram human stem cells, and then 3D print them in layers to form tissue.

While the “mini-livers” perform the functions of a liver, they’re unfortunately still a far cry from an actual full-scale liver.

Not only could printed livers end a reliance on a very short supply of donor organs, they might end up being safer as well.

“Another important advantage is zero probability of rejection, given that the cells come from the patient,” adds Zatz.

Rather than printing cells one by one, the team developed a new technique that involves grouping cells into clumps, making the printed mini organs last much longer than previous printed organ attempts, according to the researchers. These cell clumps are then mixed with a hydrogel-like bioink and printed out into a three dimensional lattice.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Yeah! More drinking!!

[Secret Agent Man]

“Unfortunately they kill whatever they’re placed in”

[KarlInOhio]

Scientists Print Functional Human “Mini-Livers”

Now we just need tiny fava beans and small bottles of chianti.

[Vince Ferrer]

The chief use of these will not be whole functional organs, but small proxy organs that can be used for testing drugs. In the future, before you go onto a prescription drug, they will create a mini-liver from your own cells, and test the drugs on your mini-liver first to see if your liver can tolerate it.

[Bob434]

Can they really De-Liver on this? hahahaha i crack me up

[Fungi]

Fava bean puree:
two pounds shelled fava beans
one half small red onion, finely minced
three large cloves garlic, pressed
1/2 cup cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
kosher salt to taste
Boil fava beans until soft about, 30-45 minutes
combine all ingredients and puree, salting to taste with a little freshly ground black pepper if desired.
Correct seasoning, and refrigerate overnight.
Serve with pita bread. Vundabar!
Optional: one piece flat salted anchovy added and pureed, adds an unbelievable zip.

[SunkenCiv]

Cats everywhere wake up from naps, stretch, and head in to the nearest web browser.

[Bobalu]

Good article, thankx 4 posting.

While reading it hit me, this is the sort of 3D printing article that 2ndDivVet always sought out and posted...I miss him.

[dfwgator]

Maj. Frank Burns: [Hawkeye is elaborately eating while in surgical garb] All right, what's all that funny business there?

Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce: There's nothing funny here to me, Frank. I happen to be very serious about this *delicious* piece of liver.

Maj. Frank Burns: Liver? Where'd you get liver? They're serving hamburger.

Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce: This is mine and you can't have any.

Maj. Frank Burns: Okay, okay. But where did you get it?

Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce: From that North Korean.

Maj. Frank Burns: What North Korean?

[beat]



Maj. Frank Burns: You mean the one that...

Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce: The one that croaked!

[Frank moves forward and moves the plate slightly to get a better look]

Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce: [outraged] You touched my plate! You're not sterile! You've ruined my liver! Ruined it! And we're all out of North Koreans!

[I-ambush]

Would be good to help Lector’s New Year’s resolution to shed a few pounds.

[Nateman]

A wonderful time to be alive... and stay that way!

[lee martell]

This is an example of practical and very useful science.
I hope they continue to develop this. Better this proxy liver than having to use live animals, then ‘dispose’ of those animals after the experiments are completed.

[tired&retired]

My son was just offered a job with a bio-tech company in the USA that uses 3-D printers to make body parts, including livers that are not rejected by the donee’s body.

They use cells from the recipient’s body to make the different “inks” and build the organ. They print cartilage, vascular tissue, and skin that is implanted.

He showed me films of the process. Absolutely amazing.

It’s beyond the research stage and being utilized in treatment.

[tired&retired]

Liver cells replicate much easier than other organs.

I watched a film of a nose being printed using the person’s own cells as ink. It was to be grafted on the guy’s face.

[alexander_busek]

Is this was "Carter's Mini Liver Pills" are for?

Regards,

[Celtic Conservative]

Should go well with those mini bottles of liquor they make.

CC

[wally_bert]

I can’t help but think of Chief Inspector Dreyfus.

[Pollard]

Mini Livers? mmm, Rumaki

[MayflowerMadam]

Love love love rumaki!!