I met the New Scientist folks at their booth at the BIO conference in Chicago this week–and look what they’re telling us now!
Look out stem cells–here comes tissue printing. Seems scientists are able to literally print living cells onto “biopaper” and let them grow together to form new tissues–they seem to be attracted to one another and as they grow closer, begin to beat in synch.
They’ve already successflly grown things like arteries and bladders…now they’re working on making the process faster and more efficient. Who knows how complex an organ this process will eventually be able to form? For those who know they’re going to need a new organ sometime in their future (people with heart valve problems, bad hearts, failing livers), this could be truly exciting news.