Prototype Case
Heriot-Watt researchers print 3D human cells
by:Tuowei
2019-09-09
Researchers at Heriot
Watt University has made a breakthrough in 3D stem cell printing.
They say this could pave the way for a separately customized drug testing system.
They hope that such development will reduce the demand for animal testing.
The technology can also help ensure that patients get the drugs that best meet their individual needs.
3D bio-printing is the process of generating cell patterns using 3D printing technology. The research team is led by Dr. Will Shu of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS)
Assemble a 3D printer that can handle delicate stem cells.
The team, working with Roslin Cellab, has now improved the printer to enable it to print induced stem cells from donor\'s own adult cells that can develop into almost any other cell in the body.
A report on the team\'s work has been published in the IOP journal Bio-pollution.
Dr. Shu said: \"This study proves for the first time that human induced multi-functional stem cells, stem cells derived from adult patients\' own cells, can be bioprinted without affecting their biological functions;
Our 3D printing process is gentle enough to do this.
\"In this example, we found that after printing, we can convert stem cells into liver cells.
\"In the short term, the researchers plan to use cell printing technology to manufacture miniature 3D human tissues for drug testing.
This will reduce the need for live animal testing.
Once the technology is established, doctors can specialize in manufacturing tissues from a single patient, thus prescribing drugs that are most likely to work for the patient and have minimal side effects.
Dr. Shu added: \"The ability of biological printing stem cells while maintaining their versatility, they develop the ability to develop into all types of cells in the body, or do differentiate them into specific cell types, will pave the way for the production of organs or tissues from patient-specific cells as needed.
And then these can be used for animals-
Free drug development and personalized medicine.
Watt University has made a breakthrough in 3D stem cell printing.
They say this could pave the way for a separately customized drug testing system.
They hope that such development will reduce the demand for animal testing.
The technology can also help ensure that patients get the drugs that best meet their individual needs.
3D bio-printing is the process of generating cell patterns using 3D printing technology. The research team is led by Dr. Will Shu of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS)
Assemble a 3D printer that can handle delicate stem cells.
The team, working with Roslin Cellab, has now improved the printer to enable it to print induced stem cells from donor\'s own adult cells that can develop into almost any other cell in the body.
A report on the team\'s work has been published in the IOP journal Bio-pollution.
Dr. Shu said: \"This study proves for the first time that human induced multi-functional stem cells, stem cells derived from adult patients\' own cells, can be bioprinted without affecting their biological functions;
Our 3D printing process is gentle enough to do this.
\"In this example, we found that after printing, we can convert stem cells into liver cells.
\"In the short term, the researchers plan to use cell printing technology to manufacture miniature 3D human tissues for drug testing.
This will reduce the need for live animal testing.
Once the technology is established, doctors can specialize in manufacturing tissues from a single patient, thus prescribing drugs that are most likely to work for the patient and have minimal side effects.
Dr. Shu added: \"The ability of biological printing stem cells while maintaining their versatility, they develop the ability to develop into all types of cells in the body, or do differentiate them into specific cell types, will pave the way for the production of organs or tissues from patient-specific cells as needed.
And then these can be used for animals-
Free drug development and personalized medicine.
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