Scientists 'print' 3D object with stem cells

Technology Feb. 06, 2013 - 06:07AM JST ( 5 )

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FadamorFeb. 06, 2013 - 06:47AM JST

Great! If I ever need a millimeter-sized ball of some form of tissue, I know where to get some!

Seriously though, this is a pretty interesting development. The only problem I see is getting the stem cells to transform into the necessary individual cells for a functioning organ. Piling ice cubes on top of one another won't get you ice cream until you "treat" them with cream, sugar, and air. The same goes for stem cells. If you don't prod them with just the right hormone and protein combinations, they remain stem cells and can't function as a living organ.

Let me know when they can start printing out ideal girlfriends. Given the number of nerds on this project, I say they'll have it done in.... four or five decades.
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PeaceWarriorFeb. 06, 2013 - 01:03PM JST

Cool! Very cool!
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viking68Feb. 06, 2013 - 02:40PM JST

Very cool, but I thought scientists had already created the vascular structure. As Fadamor suggests, the surrounding tissue usually keys stem cells to specialize.

There is still some work to do, but the prospect of manufactured complex organs sounds closer. Well, manufactured skin (also an organ) from stem cells and a patient's own cells has been happening for some time out of a clinic in Italy, which will mail your own skin to you.

And by the way, is there something 3D printers can't do? They can apparently make a building and create a moon base. Very cool indeed.
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FadamorFeb. 07, 2013 - 05:28AM JST

And by the way, is there something 3D printers can't do?

They're apparently still unable to make printed circuit boards. The electrical traces have too much resistance even if you include metallic powder in the "ink".
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25psotFeb. 08, 2013 - 01:28PM JST

Today organs but in future may be we can print whole creation . Science has infinitive potential for infinitive development. May be in future people with heart problems get some bio-printing done on their heart and that's all well be needed.