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First 3D Printed Liver Expected In 2014

Posted by samzenpus on from the drink-up dept.

Lucas123 writes "After 3D printing has produced ears, skin grafts and even retina cells that could be built up and eventually used to replace defective eye tissue, researchers expect to be able to produce the first functioning organ next year. The organ, a liver, would not be for the purpose of human implant — that will take years to complete clinical trials and pass FDA review. Instead, the liver would initially be for development and testing of pharmaceuticals. The field of 3D printing known as organs on a chip, will greatly increase the accuracy and speed of drug development and testing, researchers say. The company producing the liver, Organovo, has overcome a major stumbling block that faces the creation of any organ: printing the vascular system needed to provide it with life-sustaining oxygen and nutrients. Typically, 3D printed tissue dies in the petri dish before it can even be used because of that. 'We have achieved thicknesses of greater than 500 microns, and have maintained liver tissue in a fully functional state with native phenotypic behavior for at least 40 days,' said Mike Renard, Organovo's executive vice president of commercial operations."

20 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. Good by Hamsterdan · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now, how long we /.ers can print a wife?

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    I've got better things to do tonight than die.
    1. Re:Good by Thanshin · · Score: 3, Informative

      Because Preview.

    2. Re:Good by Jawnn · · Score: 3, Funny

      Why would you print out the whole thing?

    3. Re:Good by marcello_dl · · Score: 2

      You can print it until the legs and half a brain are done, then wife will attempt to escape and seek divorce.
      Or maybe I misunderstood the question :)

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      ---- MISSING MISCELLANEOUS DATA SEGMENT --- [sigdash] trolololol
    4. Re:Good by misexistentialist · · Score: 2

      A warm slick liver is really all you need.

  2. Fantastic! by adolf · · Score: 5, Funny

    3D printed livers?

    Bottoms up, mates!

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    Kid-proof tablet..
    1. Re:Fantastic! by TubeSteak · · Score: 2

      A 500 micron thick liver isn't going to process much alcohol.
      You're going to have to switch to non-alcoholic beer.

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      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
    2. Re:Fantastic! by adolf · · Score: 2

      But imagine a Beowulf cluster of these things!

      (Also: Penis bird, Natalia Portman and hot grits. Get off my lawn: You're stepping on my liver.)

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      Kid-proof tablet..
    3. Re:Fantastic! by Krishnoid · · Score: 2

      A 500 micron thick liver isn't going to process much alcohol.

      I suspect this individual would disagree, and would heartily welcome this scientific advance.

    4. Re:Fantastic! by MrLizard · · Score: 3, Informative

      It's possible each layer printed can seamlessly connect to the next layer, given appropriate nutrients/conditions. I believe (bio class was a long time ago; I think it was when they were still teaching about the humours) that cells can communicate chemically and tell other cells, "hey, join up here". If all the correct cell types are in the mix, each layer should link up to form the necessary structures, especially if the focus is replacing damaged portions of an organ and not building the whole thing as one big lump.

      It's too soon to say "Cirrhosis, shmirrohsis, I'll just buy a new liver at Wal-Mart[1]", but this step forward seems far from impractical.

      [1]More socially-conscious types may prefer to shop at neighborhood businesses that produce locally-sourced organs printed using fair labor practices. But you'll pay more, and they're not open at 2 AM when you really NEED a new liver.

  3. Re:News of the World by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes, the News of the World was renowned for its stories on 3D printing and cutting-edge medicine. Why, barely a day would go by without finding the words "native phenotypic behavior" on practically every page.

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    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  4. nearly there. by clickclickdrone · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Just need to print the bacon and you'll have a fine meal in no time.

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    I want a list of atrocities done in your name - Recoil
  5. What about skin? by peragrin · · Score: 2

    when will they come up with 3D printed skin for burn victims? Take a few skin cells clone them, and create huge sheets of skin for new grafts.

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    i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
    1. Re:What about skin? by dbIII · · Score: 2

      There's been work on that.

    2. Re:What about skin? by Lairdykinsmcgee · · Score: 3, Informative

      Great video. Not exactly what you're speaking about, but quite similar in effect. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXO_ApjKPaI

  6. Huge news by dbIII · · Score: 2

    The plan is to grow from people's own cells so they don't have to be on anti-immune drugs for the rest of their lives. Also you can live without a thyroid gland, not without a liver, and skin is being done by other teams.

    1. Re:Huge news by the+gnat · · Score: 2

      As an addendum to this, the anti-immune drugs themselves can kill the patient. "Least difficult to acquire" is also relative; the demand still exceeds the supply.

  7. And when is the 3D printed Onions coming? by wisnoskij · · Score: 2

    And when is the 3D printed Onions coming?

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    Troll is not a replacement for I disagree.
  8. So does this mean we can.... by 3seas · · Score: 2

    .... bring people back from death? Re: The Fifth Element.

  9. Re:3D Printed Liver Expected In 2014 by rmdingler · · Score: 2

    Ah padawan, you appreciate your karma more if you gamble with it from time to time.

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    Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.

    Ernest Hemingway