Succeeded to print real size ears on bio 3D printer

Technology for 3D printing of human organization "3D bio-printer"Technology continues to evolve, and it can finally stand independentAuricle(Ear capsule) has reached the level that can print 3D. Based on this technology now 3D bioprinting technology will be used as "reinforcing material" to regenerate the damaged body part and quickly fix damaged parts.

A 3D bioprinting system to produce human-scale tissue constructs with structural integrity: Nature Biotechnology: Nature Publishing Group
http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nbt.3413.html

This 3D bioprinter can can make human-sized ear, muscle, and bone tissues | The Verge
http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/15/10995730/3d-print-human-tissue-ear-muscles-bone

The research team at Wake Forest University succeeded in reproducing the auricle using 3D bio print technology. It has been reported by Australian researchersTechnique for 3D bio printing of brain tissueAlthough it was developed, the cells that could be produced were too small and unstable, so they could not be transplanted to humans. However, the auricle created by Wake Forest University is a full size, has stability to the extent that it can be supported by itself without collapse, and has already succeeded in transplanting to the back of the mouse And that.


The researchers transplanted their ears to the skin of the back of the mouse and the shape was retained after two months. When investigated in detail, it turned out that cartilage tissue was formed to support the auricle.

It seems like this prints with 3D bio print. It seems that there is no big difference from general 3D printers except printing with gel containing animal derived cells and biodegradable plastics.


The auricle made by the 3D bioprinter has not yet been launched for transplantation to humans but if you successfully transplant it successfully transplanted to a person who has lost his ear due to an accident or the like, just adjusting the appearance There are advantages such as being able to improve hearing with the reflection of sound, so it is awaited for practical application.

In addition, the organization created by the 3D bio print technology is not only aimed at keeping its shape itself like an auricle, but also the time which is kept physically stable at the beginning of printing out, It is also possible to make something that decomposes naturally as it goes through. Therefore, it is expected to be utilized for regenerative medicine that promotes the formation of cells, recovers from injury, and regenerates the missing part.

Researchers at Wake Forest University have already transplanted 3D bio-printed muscle tissue to rats and confirmed that formation of nerves is promoted, and 3D bio print was performed using human stem cells It is said that rats transplanted with bone implants have also confirmed that they caused blood vessel formation after 5 months.

It is a 3D bio print technology that rapidly evolves technology, but the military industry has a strong interest in this technology, and this wake forest university is also funded by the US military. The US military seems to expect technology to recover battlefield injured soldiers on the battlefield by 3D bio print technology.

From now on, it seems that human experiments will be conducted to investigate whether 3D bio-printed tissues are transplanted to humans and safety is maintained. Dr. Adam Feinberg of Carnegie Mellon University says, "With the 3D bio print technology that was the technology of the SF world, patients may be able to receive effective treatment in the next couple of years" .