Scientists Just 3D-Printed the World’s First Heart Using Human Cells
Scientists in Israel announced today that they 3D-printed the world’s first heart with cells and blood vessels, a breakthrough they believe could mean shorter waiting lists for heart transplant patients and a future where organ printers become commonplace in major hospitals.
While previous researchers have 3D-printed hearts, those versions lacked blood vessels. For the first time, a team of researchers from Tel Aviv University created a “printed” heart using human cells.
“This is the first time anyone anywhere has successfully engineered and printed an entire heart replete with cells, blood vessels, ventricles and chambers,” lead author Professor Tal Dvir of Tel Aviv University’s School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology said.
A 2018 report by The American Heart Association estimates that heart disease accounts for 1 out of 3 deaths in the United States, making it the leading cause of death. Today, heart transplants are the only option for those experiencing advanced heart failure, so the development could mean more availability for those waiting for a new heart.
To develop the heart, scientists took a biopsy of patients’ fatty tissue. Then, they used cellular materials in the tissue, reprogramming them to become immature stem cells and…