14 DAY TRIAL // Living tissue normally has to be lab grown and harvested, but if 3D printing evolves well enough, it will be easy to make some in a few hours flat.
This is the goal of the Utrecht Science Park, or one of them.
Through an investment of €775,000 / $1,050,000, the researchers there hope to make it possible to 3D print living tissue “soon.” In fact, full organs might no longer be out of reach.
The new Utrecht Biofabrication Facility will be the site where research into this will be carried out.
An actual BioScaffolder and regular FDM/Stereolithography 3D printers will be employed in the efforts.
“By adjusting the printing temperature and the use of a special ‘bioink’ developed in Utrecht,” said Dr. Malda, “it is possible to print 3D structures using living cells. The fact that tissue structures must not only be three dimensional, but also perform a function, makes it more complex.”
Stay tuned for a more in-depth analysis of this great milestone.
UPDATE: We've now explored the matter of 3D printed tissue at length.