From a patch to a whole heart
BIOLIFE4D company demonstrated a 3D-printed patch for the heart
The American biotechnical company BIOLIFE4D faces a difficult task – 3D printing of a human heart suitable for transplantation. The creation of full-fledged organs is still far away, but the company's specialists have already demonstrated the possibility of additive production of patches for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
The company is based in Illinois, but in May of this year opened a new biotechnical laboratory in Texas. Just a few days later, the staff of the new laboratory conducted the first successful experiment on 3D printing of functional muscle tissues of the heart. The technique is based on growing stem cells from samples taken from the patient, which significantly reduces the risk of rejection. After differentiation, a mass of muscle cells is obtained, which serves as the main component of biochernils. Then the layers of the required shape are printed, reinforced with a matrix of nutrient hydrogel, and after a certain period of maturation, the formation of functional tissue occurs.
"We are very proud of the milestone passed and the successful demonstration of our capabilities for 3D printing of heart tissues. When we started the experiments, we understood that this would be a key stage confirming the viability of our technologies and the fidelity of scientific research. We are very glad that confirmation was achieved so quickly. We have always believed that our scientific approach and the high qualifications of our specialists will allow us to make rapid progress. The speed with which we printed the first patches, measured in just days, was previously unheard of in the scientific community. These experiments clearly demonstrate our ability to print human tissues and determine the path to organ bioprinting," said Professor Ravi Birla, chief researcher at BIOLIFE4D.
The samples obtained are still quite primitive, but the patches obtained can also be useful in the treatment of certain diseases and complications, for example, the consequences of a heart attack. Further experiments of specialists will be aimed at developing 3D printing techniques for heart valves and blood vessels. Then experiments with additive manufacturing of miniature versions of the heart are planned, and if everything goes well, then full-fledged organs for transplantation.
You can see how it will look here.
Other scientific teams are engaged in similar research, including scientists from the Sydney Heart Research Institute (HRI), American scientists from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Minnesota, as well as Canadian bioprinters from the University of Saskatchewan.
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