Mobile-Menu

The 10 Chemical Innovations with the Highest Sustainability Potential

3D-Bioprinting – Organs from the Printer Problem: People are getting older and older, but our organs are not necessarily designed for such a long life. Whether through natural ageing processes or accidents: Every year, almost 10,000 patients in Germany alone look for a donor organ. But the number of voluntary organ donors is far too low to cover this demand. Goal: Artificially produced tissues and organs could provide a remedy. These could not only compensate for the lack of organ donors, but would also contribute to animal welfare. By using artificial tissue, for example, as skin models for drug tests, fewer animal experiments would be necessary. Solution: 3D printing technology has long since been able to process bio-inks with cells and use them, for example, to print heart tissue or blood vessels. Pancreas or bones from the printer are also possible. Drug tests and toxicity studies can thus be carried out easily. To make the artificial tissue relevant for transplantation, the biochemical reactions of the body to the printed tissue must be better understood and controlled. Special sugar molecules on the cells are mainly responsible for the rejection or acceptance of transplants. The analysis of these molecules and their interplay will be a central building block for the future development of 3D bioprinting technology. (Picture: Pixabay/qimono) arrow back Image Zoom
3D-Bioprinting – Organs from the Printer

Problem: People are getting older and older, but our organs are not necessarily designed for such a long life. Whether through natural ageing processes or accidents: Every year, almost 10,000 patients in Germany alone look for a donor organ. But the number of voluntary organ donors is far too low to cover this demand.

Goal: Artificially produced tissues and organs could provide a remedy. These could not only compensate for the lack of organ donors, but would also contribute to animal welfare. By using artificial tissue, for example, as skin models for drug tests, fewer animal experiments would be necessary.

Solution: 3D printing technology has long since been able to process bio-inks with cells and use them, for example, to print heart tissue or blood vessels. Pancreas or bones from the printer are also possible. Drug tests and toxicity studies can thus be carried out easily. To make the artificial tissue relevant for transplantation, the biochemical reactions of the body to the printed tissue must be better understood and controlled. Special sugar molecules on the cells are mainly responsible for the rejection or acceptance of transplants. The analysis of these molecules and their interplay will be a central building block for the future development of 3D bioprinting technology. (Picture: Pixabay/qimono)
11/11