In a medical first, researchers have successfully “printed” living human body parts that are large and strong enough to replace human tissues. Previous attempts to engineer lifelike body parts had failed because the structures were too flimsy or lacked the complexity to remain viable. But a Wake Forest University research team has circumvented those issues using a new device called an integrated tissue-organ printer, which has manufactured ears, muscles, and jawbones using precise 3-D models. The printer mixes live cells with a special gel that hardens to the consistency of living tissues. Oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the new cells through layers of tiny tunnels until blood vessels grow and perform this vital function naturally. The engineered structures were stable enough to be successfully implanted in rodents. More study is needed to determine whether these tissues are safe for humans, but researchers hope the technology can one day enable patients to get customized vital-organ transplants using their own cells. “This novel tissue and organ printer is an important advance,” study author Dr. Anthony Atala tells LiveScience.com. “It can fabricate stable, human-scale tissue of any shape.”
And, I got it from the Week Magazine... Though I don't recall which print edition.
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