Israeli Scientists “Print” World’s First 3D Heart Made with Human Tissue
If perfected, in 10 years this technology could replace the need to transplant hearts.
Scientists at Tel Aviv University announced the creation of a 3D heart that has cells and blood vessels, The Jerusalem Post reported Monday. While the heart is small and not yet functional, it shows that, in the future, a heart could be made, which would help eliminate the need for transplants for patients suffering from heart failure.
The 3D heart is about the size of a rabbit’s heart, but scientists could use this process to create a larger organ to fit a human.
“This is the first time anyone anywhere has successfully engineered and printed an entire heart replete with cells, blood vessels, ventricles and chambers,” explained lead researcher Prof. Tal Dvir. He is on the faculty of TAU’s School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and the Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology.
A patient provided the cells needed to create the heart.
Dvir said that the 3D-printing of the heart by his team was not a breakthrough. It’s the fact that they made an organ with cells and blood vessels. “Our results demonstrate the potential of our approach for engineering personalized tissue and organ replacement in the future,” he said.
Now that a heart with its full structure has been replicated, Dvir said that the artificial organ now must be made to function as a heart. Then these printed organs will have to be tested in animals. He believes that in “10 years, there will be organ printers in the finest hospitals around the world, and these procedures will be conducted routinely.”
The potential importance of the discovery of building artificial hearts stems from the reality that heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world. In the United States, it is the leading killer of men and women. In Israel, it is the second leading cause of death after cancer.
Currently, the only way to treat patients with end-stage heart failure is a transplant. But the number of patients needing hearts far outnumber the number of hearts available and many die waiting for a new heart. A functioning 3D heart could save many people who would not survive under current conditions.
Three years ago, Dvir announced the concept of a heart patch, that could be placed over dead heart muscle cells and help the heart function after suffering damage from a heart attack. It isn’t clear if this heart patch is on the market, but the process for fabricating the patch appears to be the same as for the 3D heart.
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Comments
I was wondering if this would show up here.
Was interesting to see…more tests needed for long-term viability.
Certainly, the big advantage is taking one’s own cells and reducing the likelihood for rejection.
Now, it would be the cherry on top if we can just get some holo-tech and transporters from Star Trek, so you don’t have to have your chest cracked open to get it.
Not to mention reduced reliance on antirejection drugs which suppress the immune system and leave one vulnerable to all sorts of infections.
Amazing. One can scarcely keep up with the pace of Israeli technological innovation, in technology, medicine, water conservation, etc.
The Shining Jewel of the Middle East and its indomitable, plucky and morally upright people continue to serve as a light for all humanity, undaunted by the vile, goose-stepping haters and bigots on the Left.
Wow!
Now I want to know when the first Jiffy Heart will open up! Followed by Jiffy Liver…Jiffy Skin…Jiffy….
I’m waiting for the cancer cure a couple of Israelite scientists promised next year, for all cancers.
I couldn’t believe they came out and said that
But generally, your right, Israel is a beacon of science and innovation
When I was a young girl, all I heard is “get a Jewish Doctor ,
their the best”.
The 21st century equivalent of the pioneer spirit we once possessed in abundance….and now, we’re more concerned with not hurting someone’s feelings.
Loss of Jews would be a staggering loss for humanity, not so for the rest of the Middle East and Africa, both of which evolution left far behind.
The jews thoughout much of europe contributed greatly to scientific break throughs during the 1800’s through 1930’s.
this was especially true in the field of physics.
The culture the promoted science continued with the jewish population that migrated to Israel.
How many Israelis have received nobel prizes in science, economics, chemistry, etc received since Israel’s founding (8)
Howmany arabs have won the nobel prize (other than the bogus nobel peace prize)? One egyptian in 1999 for chemistry/science.
Teeth! I want TEETH! Seems that compared to a heart they’re be simple. And there’s a huge market out there for replacement teeth.
Forget replacement hearts, what about kidneys?
There are 100s of thousands on kidney waiting lists, and many will die before they can get one.
On the face of it, I would think replicating a static organ like a kidney would be simpler than a heart, assuming the tech is transferable to other organs….
When Mullah Omar and Rashida Goering are old and failing, don’t give it to them.