Bioprinting/3D Printed Organs

[Dr Van Helsing]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello, all. I post today to rouse some conversation about the future of 3D printed organs. Shamelessly, I enjoyed a season of Grey's Anatomy, where the fictional cardiothoracic surgeon Cristina Yang, used a 3D printer to create a conduit for the heart, to save a baby's life.

I did a little research and discovered we are quickly advancing to make this medical fiction a reality.

Here is some literature to show how surgeons are using this technology to create models to "practice" on: http://www.dailydot.com/technology/infant-3d-printed-heart/.

Here is an article about creating valve-tissue for a heart, via 3D printer: https://www.asme.org/engineering-to...ng/creating-valve-tissue-using-3d-bioprinting.

Anecdotally, I skimmed a scientific article, which claimed biomedical engineers will develop fully functioning organs, ready to transplant, within a decade.

Obviously, these advancements will have revolutionize our transplant system..
I think this is really exciting.. What are your thoughts?

 

[WedgeDawg]

This is already happening. If I recall correctly, they've already printed and implanted bladders. Look up Dr. Tony Atala at Wake Forest's med school. He's done some pretty cool stuff in the field.

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

This is already happening. If I recall correctly, they've already printed and implanted bladders. Look up Dr. Tony Atala at Wake Forest's med school. He's done some pretty cool stuff in the field.

http://www.wakehealth.edu/WFIRM/
I found it; this is awesome. I could not find this information with a generic Google search. The census I gathered was that we are still on the way.. I guess I was wrong.

 

[Australopithekus]

This is already happening. If I recall correctly, they've already printed and implanted bladders. Look up Dr. Tony Atala at Wake Forest's med school. He's done some pretty cool stuff in the field.

I had the pleasure of briefly meeting Dr. Atala last week! He was a moderator for my section at a conference. His lab does some fantastic work.

 

[deleted407021]

I was introduced to the idea of printing organs on an episode of "Beyond Tomorrow" ages ago...along with the hybrid car. Such futuristic.

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

I was introduced to the idea of printing organs on an episode of "Beyond Tomorrow" ages ago...along with the hybrid car. Such futuristic.

Much future.

 

[Holmwood]

What benefit does this have over IPS?

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

What benefit does this have over IPS?

What is IPS?

 

[Holmwood]

What is IPS?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induced_pluripotent_stem_cell

http://www.asianscientist.com/2011/03/features/shinya-yamanka-induced-pluripotent-stem-cell-ips/

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induced_pluripotent_stem_cell

http://www.asianscientist.com/2011/03/features/shinya-yamanka-induced-pluripotent-stem-cell-ips/

Ah. It seems like these different "regenerative techniques" come close to a similar result. Either way, cells are cultured and incubated to grow tissue. Perhaps one method is quicker than another? I'm really hoping to find a research project in the next two years, which is experimenting with these different approaches.
But from a layman's perspective, "printing" sounds cooler.

 

[baxt1412]

Tread carefully in the stem cell talk lol...

 

[Holmwood]

Tread carefully in the stem cell talk lol...

I'm curious as to why you would say that.

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

I'm curious as to why you would say that.

Me too; I can't think of a logical reason as to why someone would not advocate for stem cell research.

 

[Australopithekus]

Me too; I can't think of a logical reason as to why someone would not advocate for stem cell research.

I don't think that's the issue. Stem cell researchers tend to be pretty passionate and defensive of their own area, especially as it applies to translational potential. Furthermore, even in basic science, there are plenty of disagreements. Some journals have run long point/counterpoint specials on arguments over certain stem cell questions. Even the markers for some commonly-studied stem cells aren't fully agreed upon.

 

[BurbyPrep89]

Me too; I can't think of a logical reason as to why someone would not advocate for stem cell research.

Because religion.🙄

Also, I wrote a paper on this when Mitalipov's paper came out (awesomesauce):

http://www.nature.com/news/stem-cells-made-by-cloning-adult-humans-1.15107

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

Because religion.🙄

Also, I wrote a paper on this when Mitalipov's paper came out (awesomesauce):

http://www.nature.com/news/stem-cells-made-by-cloning-adult-humans-1.15107

I am green with envy. That is impressive.

 

[baxt1412]

Just out of respect for what can become such a hot topic. There are undoubtedly some very religiously devout people on here and I wouldn't want someone to rush into saying something that starts a flame war.

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

Just out of respect for what can become such a hot topic. There are undoubtedly some very religiously devout people on here and I wouldn't want someone to rush into saying something that starts a flame war.

I don't have a dog in that fight lol.

 

[baxt1412]

I don't have a dog in that fight lol.

I just wanted to remind people that they could potentially stir up a lot of crap and so I thought a "be careful" disclaimer was warranted.

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

I just wanted to remind people that they could potentially stir up a lot of crap and so I thought a "be careful" disclaimer was warranted.

You're accepted; you did something right; fair enough.

 

[baxt1412]

You're accepted; you did something right; fair enough.

I wouldn't have thought twice about the original comment if I hadn't gone to a catholic college and had a bioethics heavy developmental bio class