Organovo 3D Prints Functional Human Liver Tissue

Organovo, a bioprinting firm located in San Diego, has achieved a significant advancement in 3D printing by successfully creating functional human liver tissue sections that remain viable for 135 hours while preserving essential liver functions. This breakthrough was showcased at the Experimental Biology conference held in Boston. The liver tissue was produced using a combination of hepatocytes, stellate cells, and blood vessel components, effectively simulating a living organ's complex functions, such as protein synthesis. The company is focused on developing larger sections suitable for liver tissue transplants. Other notable innovations include Cornell's collagen gel ear, Heriot-Watt's stem cell layer printing, and Oxford's engineering of tissue mechanics. Co-founders Gabor and Andras Foragcs also established Modern Meadow in 2011, specializing in 3D printed meat. This technology indicates that transplantable organs may become a reality within decades.