Scientists have created bioprinter, capable of printing full-size and stable tissue for the human body. This invention removes significant barriers to the creation of biocapacity organs suitable for transplantation patients, reported in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
3D bio-printers are machines that print cells layer by layer to create a healthy organ (or tissue section). However, while the printed objects are too fragile for implantation in humans. In addition, they are devoid of blood vessels; therefore, their size is dictated by the diffusion limit of oxygen and nutrients (200 microns).
Anthony Atala (Anthony Atala) and his colleagues have strengthened the cells by printing them together with a biodegradable polymer that gives tissues mechanical strength. For delivery of nutrients, they have developed a system of microchannels is allowed to dramatically increase the size of the printed bodies.
Finally, the researchers adapted bioprinter to the individual needs of patients: the program first generates a three-dimensional model of the desired organ (or tissue section), and then prints in accordance with this model. The study describes the capabilities of the device to make bones, cartilage and muscles of the skeleton based on the cells of mice, rabbits, rats and humans.
