What does this mean for future donation? Can we "print" the perfect heart ready for transplant?
The concept of "printing" organs, which until recently could only be seen in science fiction films, arose from two parallel scientific breakthroughs. The first is 3D printers, which emerged about ten years ago as an engineering marvel, and have recently come to be used in applied science as an economically affordable device that can be used in many technological fields.
The second area of accelerated development is molecular biology and genetic engineering, which allow researchers to study natural biological processes and interfere with them at the cellular and nuclear levels.
The model of the printed human heart presented by researchers at Tel Aviv University has attracted attention around the world. Two axes of development crossed here. The study dispels many doubts about the possibility of printing human organs in the future. To believe this, you need to say several times: scientists created a human heart from human cells (pride is also caused by the fact that we are talking about Israeli scientists).
A new chapter has opened in many ways, but this is only the beginning. There are many obstacles to overcome before transplanting unsealed organs made from their own cells into humans. But the study also reveals how unexpected breakthroughs can occur. Professor Tal Dvir, who led the study, says there is still a long way to go, but the achievement opens up new horizons. This is the beginning of a journey where researchers understand what needs to happen next in order for humans to get working 3D organs.
Haaretz: The pictures of the printing process are amazing. But what is the state of this transparency of the heart, and how close are we to seeing how it will happen?
During the printing stage, hearts are placed in a bioreactor - a kind of container filled with nutrients for cells (growth medium) - that can track what is happening and create optimal conditions for hearts to "ripen" to form a single, beating organ. “A process of trial and error awaits us. We want to see if all the pieces fit together for the heart to work properly when pulsating. We do not expect momentary success. But it will happen,”says Dvir.
What happens after the heart has matured and begins to function normally? Scientists hope to transplant the first printed heart into an animal - a rabbit or a rat - within a year, but what about humans?
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- It is still difficult for researchers to set a time frame. In general, they aim to ensure that within ten years the necessary printers will appear in hospitals to create three-dimensional human tissue or such complex organs as the heart.
How important is this achievement in the field of printing human organs?
- Very big. The link between 3D printing and biology and the printing of human organs is relatively recent. In this context, printers are used to create bone implants such as a titanium femur; tissue made from all or half natural materials, such as bone marrow (“passive” tissue) or blood vessels. Now for the first time it has been possible to print a real human organ with a large number of biological characteristics.
What are the limitations of such a new heart?
- It is still not perfect, its ability to function has not yet been proven. The fact that it consists of two types of cells - muscle and blood - is an important achievement, but there are other cells in the heart as well. Researchers are technically able to create these and other stem cells, just as they did to produce the cells we need. This is what they plan to do next.
What is the limitation of printing a human heart of the right size, which will be ready for transplant?
- There are several constraints at different stages of the process, but they are working on it. First, a huge number of cells are needed to create a normal sized human heart. This requires billions of cells, and there is a science that deals with their reproduction. This is where we come to the importance of accelerating cell growth. Secondly, printers. Now the level of printers is not bad, but they still do not have enough expansion. This area will also continue to develop. Once such an infrastructure is in place, it will be possible to create all the necessary cells and print a heart close to the real one.
Is it possible someday to create a stronger, "improved" heart?
- Now we are working to print a heart that will resemble the real one as much as possible.
What does this mean in the context of the press of other organs?
- On the one hand, the ability to print a heart proves that, in principle, it is possible. More precisely, each organ has its own characteristics. I'm not sure if progress in heart printing will necessarily lead to a breakthrough in the creation of organs such as the kidney, liver, or pancreas.
What other applications does this technology have?
“Apparently, the creation of printed fabric in the coming years will gain wider application, which will change the face of medicine. The technology can be used to create or heal organs ranging from the heart to severe burns. So far, scientists working in parallel have tested a piece of heart tissue on pigs.
Ido Efrati