“Bioprinter” to roll out human organs

Researchers at the medicine firm believe that the some procedures could be implemented to create new organs.

That’s the “bioprinter” for you. Based on 3D laser printing technology, the “bioprinter”, to create body parts, puts living tissue together instead of combining layers of plastic and metal.

Partnership bears fruit
Dr. Fred Davis, president of Invetech said, "Building human organs cell-by-cell was considered science fiction not that long ago.”

“Through this clever combination of technology and science we have helped Organovo develop an instrument that will improve people's lives, making the regenerative medicine that Organovo provides accessible to people around the world," added Davis.

Organovo had chosen Invetech as its technology development partner in May 2009, given the latter’s capabilities for sophisticated engineering and automation.

Invetech delivers product design and development, contract manufacturing, and custom automation services to a range of global market sectors including diagnostics, life sciences, medical devices, cleantech, industrial and consumer products.

The modus operandi of the “bioprinter” is as follows: Living cells, termed as "bioink", are placed onto thin sheets of gel, termed as "biopaper", with infinitesimal accuracy with the help of two laser-based printing heads.

Thereafter, several layers are laid on top of each other in an especially designed mould, or “scaffold”. Once done, the cells begin to blend mutually.

Printers to be used worldwide
"Scientists and engineers can use the 3D bio printers to enable placing cells of almost any type into a desired pattern in 3D," said Keith Murphy, chief executive of Organovo.

"Researchers can place liver cells on a preformed scaffold, support kidney cells with a co-printed scaffold, or form adjacent layers of epithelial and stromal soft tissue that grow into a mature tooth. Ultimately the idea would be for surgeons to have tissue on demand for various uses,” added Murphy.

Murphy, who is hopeful that the new technology will soon be able to produce entire organs, said that it is a good idea to “get a number of bio-printers into the hands of researchers and give them the ability to make three dimensional tissues on demand."

Organovo intends to place these printers with researchers in centers of excellence for medical research all over the world.