Another week is over, and with it some interesting news were published referring to the topic of 3D printing. As this week seemed to be much calmer in comparison to the last ones, it was not too hard to pick a palmful of what appeared especially worth mentioning to us. Enjoy the weekend!
Researchers Created First 3D Printed ‘Organoids’
A group of researchers working on the project ‘Body on a Chip” at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s Institute for Regenerative Medicine, (North Carolina, USA) announced this week that they were able to create ‘beating cardiac cells’ (organoids) thanks to additive manufacturing. This research project which is funded with $24 million is focused on the development of miniature hearts, livers, blood vessels and lungs that will be used to predict the effects of chemical and biologic agents and to test the effectiveness of potential treatments. The printed cells were transformed from genetically modified adult human skin cells into induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cell, which are then reprogrammed to produce the organoids. The microscopic organoids measure in at just 0.25 millimeters in diameter.
The aim of this project is to create a network of multiple lab-grown organs to replicate the function of real organs that could be used e.g. as regenerative body parts. In the long term, researchers will focus on creating organs that are able to test the human body’s response to contagions including the Ebola virus or chemical weapons (Sarin, Ricin)
This project does not only meet an all positive response but also critics who have ethical concerns intent on stopping the progress of the technology. We are very excited to hear more about this futuristic med project.
3D Printer Filament for 3D Printing in ‘Zero-Gravity’ Is Now for Sale
Maybe you remember our article NASA Unboxes First Special Delivery from Space from last week. Now the plastic filament, AstroABS, that was used to print the first 13 items in space is available for everyone. Everybody who wants to print with the same material that was used by NASA aboard the ISS can order it from Made in Space, a US based company. In order to make their filament even more accessible to interested parties, Made In Space started to do partnering with several major 3D printing filament suppliers. The company is planning to offer their new material to multiple types of makers, ranging from ‘just being curious’ to those who want to focus on ‘zero gravity’ manufacturing. Additionally, Made in Space is hoping that the AstroABS filament will be also interesting for museums and space memorabilia collectors. To develop their technology to make manufacturing in space a ‘more realized’ reality, Made in Space is keen on spending their profits on this topic.