Researchers at Tel Aviv University have 3D printed a living heart using a patient's own cells. According to them, this technology can be used in the future to eliminate the defects of a diseased heart and, possibly, to carry out transplantations.
Printed by Israeli scientists in about three hours, the heart is too small for a human β about 2,5 centimeters, or the size of a rabbit's heart. But for the first time, they were able to shape all of the blood vessels, ventricles, and chambers using ink made from the patient's tissue.
βIt is completely biocompatible and suitable for the patient, which reduces the risk of rejection,β said project leader Professor Tal Dvir (Tal Dvir).
The researchers divided the patient's adipose tissue into cellular and non-cellular components. The cells were then "reprogrammed" into stem cells, which were converted into heart muscle cells. In turn, the non-cellular material was gelled, which served as a bio-ink for 3D printing. The cells need another month or so to mature before they can beat and contract, Dvir said.
According to a university press release, scientists have previously only been able to print simple tissues, without the blood vessels they need to function.
According to Dvir, in the future, hearts printed on a 3D printer can be transplanted into animals, but there is no talk of human trials yet.
The scientist said that it could take a whole day and billions of cells to print a life-size human heart, while millions of cells were used to print a mini-heart.
Although it is not yet clear whether the printer will be able to produce hearts that are superior to human ones, the scientist believes that, perhaps, by printing individual parts of the heart, it will be possible to replace damaged areas with them, restoring the work of a vital human organ.
Source: 3dnews.ru