As early as April of this year, foreign media reported that scientists at Israel’s Tel Aviv University used human biomaterials3D printingCreate a miniature heart. American researchers are now using some similar techniques to print out their own human heart. The organ was created by the Chicago-based biotechnology company BIOLIFE4D team led by chief scientist Dr. Ravi Birla.
To begin the process, white blood cells obtained from human volunteers are transformed into induced pluripotent stem cells, which in turn are prompted to differentiate into various types of cardiomyocytes. They are mixed with nutrients and growth materials to form the company’s proprietary bio-ink.
The ink is then extruded through the nozzle of a dedicated bioprinter and the supporting transparent matrix material. In this way, tiny hearts are built layer by layer, and the matrix temporarily keeps everything in the desired shape. This shape is based on an MRI scan of a volunteer’s heart.
The scientists then put the printed matter into the bioreactor to simulate the conditions in the human body. This causes the cardiomyocytes to self-organize and fuse together to form solid heart tissue. The result is a complete (albeit small) human heart from which the matrix material can then be dissolved.
According to BIOLIFE4D, the bioprinted heart contains four internal chambers-just like the real one-and “replicates some of the functional indicators compared to the full-size heart.”
Scientists now hope that once the technology is further developed, it can be used to print full-size hearts and transplant them. Because the organ has “grown” from the patient’s own cells, rejection by the immune system may not be a problem.
(Editor in charge: admin)
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