Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Scientists Create 3D Bioprinter Capable of Printing Living Human Skin (ibtimes.co.uk)

Posted by BeauHD on from the epic-dermis dept.

New submitter drunkdrone quotes a report from International Business Times: Spanish scientists say they have developed a prototype 3D printer that is capable of printing "functional" human skin that can be used for transplant patients, as well as an ethical alternative to animal testing. The so-called bioprinter uses special "ink" consisting of human cells and other biological components to reproduce the natural structure of the skin, including the external epidermis and the deeper dermis layer. These "bio inks" are deposited from special injectors onto a print bed to produce skin that is bioactive and capable of producing its own human collagen, the researchers claim. This means that the 3D-printed skin is, in essence, living tissue, making it suitable for treating burn patients and for testing cosmetic, chemical and pharmaceutical products. According to UC3M, the technology could be used to print other human tissues, although first it needs to be approved by regulators in order to ensure the skin it produces is fit for use on human patients.

31 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. It's been done before by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Does anyone remember the movie Darkman?

    1. Re:It's been done before by LemonFire · · Score: 2

      This is exactly what we need for our T-800 project.
      We'd also be interested in a phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range.

      - Pain can be controlled - you just disconnect it

    2. Re:It's been done before by fyngyrz · · Score: 1

      Just what ya see, pal.

      --
      I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
    3. Re:It's been done before by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 1

      Nobody expects the Spanish skin printer!

    4. Re:It's been done before by LifesABeach · · Score: 1

      maybe the *.stl file could be submitted to Instructables.com? How big was the printer bed size?

    5. Re:It's been done before by interkin3tic · · Score: 1

      They print a whole Milla Jovovoovovich (aside from a hand) in 5th element.

      More importantly, it's been done before in real life. There's a "skin gun" that can basically "bioprint" skin right on a patient . And biologists have been growing skin in vitro for a while now.

      From what I can tell, the only thing special about the current thing is they seem to be the first to use the "bioprint" buzzword in connection with skin. That's likely more due to earlier researchers going for the more lucrative fields, like trying to print a liver. You can get a skin graft if you need more skin, or take it from cadavers. If you need to test your new makeup on skin, there's animals or the keratinocyte cultures I linked to earlier. Livers on the other hand are harder to come by so printing those would be more lucrative.

      I'm sure there's still a lot of money to be had in printing skin, just as there's evidently a lot of money in yet another picture sharing social media service, but this skin printing thing is not a technological breakthrough, it's a biology form of Instagram.

    6. Re:It's been done before by boristdog · · Score: 1

      Hey, I'm just glad I'll finally have a plausible story to tell the cops about the human-skin drum in my living room.
      And the curtains. They always ask about those.

  2. Westworld by KevinWood9139 · · Score: 1

    Here come the human looking robots.

    1. Re:Westworld by tchdab1 · · Score: 1

      Before the robots are developed, we can use this to print our own tattoos at home.
      Bye-bye ink shops - another skilled job lost to automation.

  3. Re: Can't wait for the pocket pussy edition by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    And you're dehumanizing him by thinking that's all he sees based on a joke.

    There's nothing more human than pursuing sex. We're animals, that's why there's 7 billion of us cockroaches already here.

  4. Re: Can't wait for the pocket pussy edition by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Katie darling, is that you? I didn't think you were the /. type!

  5. about time! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I'm a black man born into a white man's body. I look forward to the day when I can become a fully cisblack male.

  6. But can it.. by Z80a · · Score: 1

    Print over a metallic exoskeleton?

  7. Oh goodie! by Z80a · · Score: 1

    Now all we need is to make it print directly over a metallic exoskeleton and it's all ready.

  8. Re:Time for that human skin clothes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    You should read "Use of Weapons" by Iain M. Banks.

  9. Fleshlight XP by beckett · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I have a feeling David Cronenberg will be shifting from cult to mainstream in the future.

    Also, get ready for the next generation of fleshlights with feeding instructions.

  10. HP human ink series by ITRambo · · Score: 5, Funny

    If anyone thinks HP ink is expensive wait for the human cell ink pricing., gonna cost ya.

    1. Re:HP human ink series by RuffMasterD · · Score: 4, Funny

      Probably going to cost an arm and a leg.

      --
      Human Rights, Article 12: Freedom from Interference with Privacy, Family, Home and Correspondence
    2. Re:HP human ink series by LiSrt · · Score: 1

      ...and it will refuse to print just one colour unless it's loaded with all colours.

    3. Re:HP human ink series by sysrammer · · Score: 1

      ...and it will refuse to print just one colour unless it's loaded with all colours.

      ...after all, we don't want a racist printer.

      --
      His ignorance covered the whole earth like a blanket, and there was hardly a hole in it anywhere. - Mark Twain
    4. Re:HP human ink series by Neuronwelder · · Score: 1

      THAT would definitely be interesting! Gold, Green, Blue, Fire engine red, etc.

  11. ya know? by Tablizer · · Score: 1

    tastes like plastic chicken

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  12. Skin as art by mnemotronic · · Score: 1

    Can the skin tone be modified? 3D printed tats? How about a zebra-stripe or checkerboard pattern? How about clear? What about rejection? Can I shave off my fingerprints and replace them with 3D printed ones?

    --
    The Russians have won. They have made the world a cesspool of distrust, greed, fear and hate.
    1. Re:Skin as art by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      You should read "Surface Detail" by Iain M. Banks.

  13. Uncharacteristically cautious phrasing by sheramil · · Score: 5, Interesting
    "Spanish scientists say they have..." and not "Spanish scientists have"

    "The so-called bioprinter uses" ... so-called? What else would you call it?

    "... and capable of producing its own human collagen, the researchers claim."

    "According to UC3M, the technology could be used to..."

    This is a far cry from headlines that scream "SCIENTISTS ARE -", only to be followed by an article that says "Some scientists think that maybe one day soon -"

  14. Blisters by Isendur · · Score: 1

    Living Human Skin sounds like a good theme for a horror.

  15. How soon until we are able to print animal fur? by Diac · · Score: 2

    I wonder if they will be able to print not only skin cells but hair follicles as well to be able to print custom animal fur. A cost effective fur printer could take over the industry and replace the old methods.

  16. Hmmmm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Designer fingerprints anyone?

  17. ProLife having fits by trevc · · Score: 1, Interesting

    So what does the ProLife movement think about living skin? Can it be thrown in the trash? Oh my.

    1. Re:ProLife having fits by bazorg · · Score: 1

      Good question. I'll phone them next time I have a haircut :)

  18. Topology people must hate this by Verdatum · · Score: 1

    Topologically speaking, a printer capable of making skin is a 2D printer, not a 3D printer.