Scientists have created a technique that could enable the 3D printing of corneas for human transplants. The team at Newcastle University combined stem cells from a healthy cornea with alginate and collagen. The process produced a bio-ink solution. A 3D printer was used to manipulate the ink into circles, which grew into the shape of a human cornea. Researchers are working on ways to print organs in living animals such as mice or rats. The corneas are not expected to be available for human transplantation for several years as the process requires further testing.
Scientists have created a technique that could enable the 3D printing of corneas for human transplants. The team at Newcastle University combined stem cells from a healthy cornea with alginate and collagen. The process produced a bio-ink solution. A 3D printer was used to manipulate the ink into circles, which grew into the shape of a human cornea. The team discovered a cornea could be built to unique specifications by scanning the patient’s eye. The corneas are not expected to be available for human transplantation for several years as the process requires further testing.