Bio-Printed Heart Parts

Another breakthrough in 3D bio-printing has produced an array of heart components that could eventually lead to fully functioning anatomical structures. The key is a specially developed hydrogel that supports the biomaterials as they are being printed and can later be removed.

Nearly every type of tissue in the body contains a protein called collagen that provides structural integrity to the extracellular matrix of various organs. Collagen starts out as a fluid, making it impossible to print without support. But when deposited layer by layer within the gel, it forms a solid structure. Researchers were also able to reproduce anatomical features like blood vessels and valves using MRI data of a human heart. And when the collagen was combined with other heart cells, the resulting components produced ventricles that contract as well as valves that open and close.

Although it will require many more years of research to combine these components into a fully functioning heart, this represents a huge step forward in someday addressing the worldwide shortage of organs for transplant.