A Chicago-based biotech company has announced that it has successfully made a mini human heart using 3D printing technology. The tiny bioprinted heart, which has the same structure as that of full-sized heart, could eliminate the need for donor organs in the future and has the potential to save thousand of lives.
BIOLIFE4D, a leader in tissue engineering, had earlier bioprinted individual heart components, including valves, ventricles and blood vessels. Before that, in June 2018, the company bioprinted human cardiac tissue. Now the research team led by Dr. Ravi Birla, the Company’s Chief Science Officer, is aiming to bioprint a full-sized functioning human heart suitable for quick transplant. The researchers think that the new technology can help take a leap to create an artificial heart viable for transplant.
Steven Morris, CEO, BIOLIFE4D said the company is proud of Dr. Birla and the team for this tremendous accomplishment.
The 3D-bioprinted heart, printed layer by layer using the same method as that of a consumer-grade 3D printer, could be transplanted into human body like changing a worn out watch battery. The milestone that could revolutionise cardiology was developed at its research facility at JLABS in Houston. BIOLIFE4D is the first American company capable of bioprinting a mini human heart, which replicates many of the features of a human heart.
Earlier this year, a team of researchers at Tel Aviv University announced they used patients own cells to create a 3D printed heart.
