Bioprinting is a method that enables cellular structures to be made from bio inks loaded with stem cells. Layer by layer, the biomaterial is deposited to create skin, tissue or even an organ. Bioprinting projects are growing, and each new project is one-step closer to being a fully functional and viable solution. Laboratories and research centers are bioprinting human livers, kidneys and hearts. The objective is to make them suitable for transplantation, and viable long-term solutions. In fact, this method could allow to cope with the lack of organ donors, and to better study and understand certain diseases. There is still progress to be made but we wanted to present the main bioprinting projects in the listing below, including 3D printed organs and other human body parts.

Bioprinted ovaries :

In May 2017, researchers from Northwestern University were developing a solution for women with fertility issues. Back then, they had succeeded in implanting a bio-printed ovary in a sterile mouse. Two years later, the researchers made some very promising progress. They were able to map the location of structural proteins in a pig ovary, allowing them to create a bio ink to bio print functional ovaries for human use. Additionally, the team explained that their methodology could be used to identify other types of proteins that could facilitate the creation of bio inks for other organs!

Bioprinting pancreas :

A team of scientists from the “Foundation for Research and Development of Science” has set itself the goal of developing a functional 3D printed pancreas by 2020, which will help diabetic patients avoid having to inject insulin and minimize the risk of related secondary complications, which often lead to death. For the bioprinting, a biopsy of the patient, and stem cell harvest is first performed. The cells are then converted into cells capable of producing insulin and glucagon.