Medical breakthroughs seem never ending. Here is news about the latest wonder. Researchers Organovo and Invetech, California-based regenerative medicine company, have claimed to have developed a photocopier that researchers can use to literally regenerate an organ by placing cells on a preformatted scaffold of, say liver, kidney, a tooth, etc.
The team developed a bioprinter, a technology based on 3D laser printing, to create various body organs. The implications of the new invention are yet to be seen since researchers worldwide will have to lay their hands on the system.
How does it work?
The “bioprinter” works like this. Living cells called as bioink are placed on thin sheets of gel called biopaper with infinitesimal accuracy with the help of two laser printing heads. Later several layers are laid on top of each other in an specially designed mold or scaffold. Once done, the cells begin to blend mutually.
So are we nearing the day when transplants can be carried out in say 1 day of diagnosing organ failure? That can be great news for millions of patients.
Comments