21st century-Frankenstein: but made with printers

 The idea of reanimating corpses and eternal life has intrigued several scientists and thushas produced many Victor Frankensteins in real life for the past few centuries: which all failedbadly. However, in the 21st century, it seems like scientists have found a way to make thispossible: a little unexpectedly, through 3D printers.       Organ transplantation is a medical procedure in which one’s damaged organ is replacedwith a healthy, functioning organ from another. The method can save patients with terminalorgan failures, which is otherwise incurable through surgical processes. However, recent research has revealed a significant flaw in such practice due to a great shortage of organ donors. Research done by The Gift of a Lifetime states that in the United States, more than 84,000 men, women, and children are waiting for organ transplants. More shockingly, 20 people die every day waiting for an organ transplant in the United States. Due to the shortage of these interchangeable organs, scientists have realized the necessity of “artificialorgans” for transplantation.      This is where the 3D printers come into play: recently, many organizations havedeveloped a way to print various organs, ranging from kidneys to heart, with 3D printers. Forinstance, Che Connon, a professor of tissue engineering at Newcastle University, hasdeveloped a printable cornea that can be mass-produced, implementing bio-ink containing stem cells. He aims to make these inexpensive artificial corneas viable from 2020. Besides, a San Francisco based company, Organovo, has developed an artificial liver tissue that can replace damaged tissues in patients’ livers. Moreover, the bone-printing and kidney-printingtechnologies recently acquired by the Glasgow University and Jennifer Lewis, respectively, have further broadened the scope of the 3D printing technology. What is more, a newly developed 3D printing technique called the SWIFT method, which involves a two-step process that forms stem-cell-derived aggregates into a dense, living matrix of organ building blocks has dramatically refined upon the accuracy and efficiency of the printing process.      Still, this burgeoning area of technology faces many downsides, the most prominent ofwhich is that the printed organs lack the cellular density and organ-level functions required for them to be used in organ repair and replacement. Besides, 3D printing demands high energy consumption and emits volatile microscopic particles. Despite such shortcomings, however, the recent development of the 3D printing methods proves its potential utility in the medical field soon. Before long, 3D printers will not only be printing plastic toys but will start printing lives.

Assisted by: Andrew Kim

5 Most Promising 3D Printed Organs for Transplant. (2019, March 8). Retrieved from https://all3dp.com/2/5-most-promising-3d-printed-organs-for-transplant/

A swifter way towards 3D-printed organs. (2019, September 6). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190906172436.htm

First 3D printed human corneas. (2018, May 30). Retrieved from https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2018/05/first3dprintingofcorneas/

Lewis Research Group. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://lewisgroup.seas.harvard.edu/

Technology Platform. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://organovo.com/technology-platform/