Looks like you’re on the UK site. Choose another location to see content specific to your location

Home Industry News Scientists devise new approach to 3D-printing living tissue

Scientists devise new approach to 3D-printing living tissue

18th February 2016

The feasibility of using 3D printers to create living replacement tissue structures for injured people has been demonstrated by scientists.

A team from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have utilised a custom-designed 3D printer to create ear, bone and muscle structures. When implanted in animals, these structures matured into functional tissue and developed a system of blood vessels.

The new Integrated Tissue and Organ Printing System was developed over a ten-year period and deposits biodegradable plastic-like materials to form the tissue shape, as well as water-based gels to contain the cells.

Thanks to the water-based ink holding the cells, cell health and growth is promoted, with a lattice of micro-channels throughout the structures allowing nutrients and oxygen from the body to circulate while blood vessels develop.

Future studies will aim to implant bioprinted muscle, cartilage and bone created using the printer in patients.

Dr Anthony Atala, director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, said: "With further development, this technology could potentially be used to print living tissue and organ structures for surgical implantation."ADNFCR-8000103-ID-801812876-ADNFCR

We have hundreds of jobs available across the Healthcare industry, find your perfect one now.

Stay informed

Receive the latest industry news, Tips
and straight to your inbox.