Are Bioprinting Proponents Just Big Talkers? http://bit.ly/2WrB7lY In ‘Three‐Dimensional Bioprinting in Regenerative Medicine: Reality, Hype, and Future,’ authors Anthony Atala and Gabor Forgacs explore some necessary topics within 3D printing and bioprinting. The technology has brought forth incredible innovation capable of transforming manufacturing, design mechanisms, and offering never dreamed of self-sustainability that could be even more useful in the future for the military, aerospace, and many other organizations. Healthcare, however, and the medical realm have already been heavily impacted by 3D printing. The momentum continues to accelerate undeniably too, as researchers discover new ways to improve the lives (and perhaps even save them) of patients in dire need of relief or assistance through numerous different types of devices and implants. Beyond all the hullabaloo and the hype though, with talk of technological magic and industrial revolution, the authors examine the real potential for bioprinting and further progress in regenerative medicine. To begin, they remind us of the staggering complexity of the human body, evolved during millions of years of trial and error and the weeding out of imperfections with natural selection:
They also comment on recent stem cell technology advancements, the ability to grow cells in vitro, and the impact of engineering from within the lab—resulting in some organs that have been implanted in patients during clinical trials.
Although at this point you may have become desensitized to ongoing news about the engineering of tissue in the lab, it is certainly no easy feat. A tissue biopsy must be taken, cells must be coddled into growth and beyond that must survive, which is the greatest challenge, aside from implanting them for the required application at hand.
Materials are complex in tissue engineering and bioprinting, obviously. Many different elements must be in place, and conditions must near perfection, along with all interactions between cells and chemicals—and accompanying technology. 3D printing, although available for decades now and used by engineers as well as aerospace and automotive companies, has become so accessible and affordable that it is becoming commonplace in schools, libraries, labs, hospitals, and many businesses and factories. As the technology has also branched off into bioprinting and automation, via cell-laden, extruded inks, researchers have discovered the following benefits:
As the authors point out, progress has indeed been remarkable; however, hitting the mark with fabrication of human organs has not been as easy a goal to meet as previously expected:
Bioprinting is an extremely complex undertaking with the most delicate materials imaginable: human cells. And while such technology may have sprung from the dynamics of 3D printing, the process and outcome are much different, comparing the simplicity of a completed, functional object with cells that must be nurtured into the desired form—with the ultimate target being that of an actual human organ.
If you want to learn about true perseverance—combined with affinity for technology and innovation—just keep your eye on progress emerging from 3D printing users of all kinds from all over the world. Due to the intrinsic and infinite opportunity to create offered by 3D printing technology, engineers, designers, tinkerers, makers, manufacturers, and many more are drawn to trying their hand at finding ways to improve on conventional parts and prototypes, along with constantly perfecting and stretching the limits of their tools. The results of bioprinting, demonstrating strides in patient care from corneal grafts to 3D printed brain tumors, often leave us incredulous over learning what is happening in research labs globally; however, the true reward for most who are involved in such studies will be successfully 3D and 4D printing human organs that can be used as transplants and truly change the face of modern medicine forever. What do you think of this news? Let us know your thoughts! Join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com. [Source: Three‐Dimensional Bioprinting in Regenerative Medicine: Reality, Hype, and Future] Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com May 24, 2019 at 03:24AM
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