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Modular, 3D Bioprinted Beating Heart Made from Skin Cells

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The risk, when writing about 3D bioprinting is that the “over-simplification” that is necessary to convey the news article’s message in the title gives an over-hyped idea of what has been achieved, with the inevitable let down that follows when we focus in on the actual facts. So, the recent video published by Popular Mechanics, which shows human heart cells made from skin cells (which were first transformed into plenipotentiary stem cells), assembled together through a 3D bioprinting process and beating autonomously is a fascinating step forward and, yet, it is only a tiny part of the incredible work on tissue engineering carried out by Dr. Anthony Atala, Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, that holds amazing possibilities for the future and even for the present.

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Another Heart Mended with a 3D Printed Surgical Model

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Mina Khan was born with a broken heart. Specifically, she had a large hole between her ventricles. This defect prevented the normal circulation of blood through her heart chambers and lungs, leaving the little girl constantly exhausted. Mina could not put on weight, and her hair would not grow. She needed a miracle, and the challenge to save her life was accepted by an innovative team of surgeons at St. Thomas Hospital in London, and a 3D printer.

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3D-Printed Heart Helps Train Surgeons

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A prosthetic human heart which is “as close as you can get” to the real organ has been made using a new 3D printing technique, Nottingham university said.

The heart’s creator, Richard Arm, said the silicone gel model mimics not only the texture of a real heart, but its inner workings and structure.

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