Scientists create a 3D printed heart from human tissue

Radio France International health and wellbeing

April 15, 2019

A team from Tel Aviv University presented on April 15 a prototype of human heart printed with 3D technology with human tissue and blood vessels.

This is an advance in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and in the prevention of transplant rejection. Israeli researchers presented to the press a prototype of a human heart printed with cherry-sized 3D technology, immersed in a liquid.

"This is the first time that a heart is printed integrally with its cells and blood vessels – it's the first time that patient's material and cells are being used," said Professor Tal Dvir, director of the research team.

"It was already possible to print the structure of a three-dimensional heart previously, but not with cells and blood vessels," said the scientist.

Despite this, researchers believe that many obstacles will have to be overcome before these 3D hearts can be used in transplantation.

Now, the challenge for scientists is to make these printed hearts "behave" like real ones, then transplant them into animal models, Dvir explained.

"Maybe in 10 years, there will be organ printers in the best hospitals in the world and these processes will be done routinely," he predicted, though his impression is that He begins with simpler organs than the heart.

Advanced Science magazine has published the work of Israeli researchers.

With AFP

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