British researchers have developed a way to make structures with stem cells to print. Previously dentures and pieces of a body printed, but stem cells proved too delicate for the process. The printer is a custom cnc-machine.
In the past, knew researchers all structures to be printed with various so-called differentiated cell types. These are cells that have a specific role, such as cells, cartilage and bone forming, cells that blood vessels form and liver cells. These cells are quite robust and are laboratory grown. Stem cells, in contrast, can indeed be grown, but for 3d-printing techniques were the non-differentiated cells are too fragile. Research from British scientists of the Heriot-Watt university brings change that.
The scientists developed, in collaboration with Roslin Cellab, a way to the sensitive human stem cells during the 3d printing process to protect. The cells are so fixed in a nutriëntenvloeistof and in ‘print cartridges’ loaded. The cartridges with fluid and stem cells were in a cnc machine, that small drops in the desired patterns can be deposited. The vloeistofvolumes can be varied: the smallest drops of 2en contain only about five cells.
By the druppelpatronen and concentrations vary, the stem cells can be activated to differentiate to different cell types. So would different types of tissue can be made. The printed stamcelweefsels would, inter alia, can be used for drug testing. In the longer term, even organs grown can be taken for transplantation to be suitable.
