Light-based bioprinting is illuminating the future of organ transplants
Published in Bioprinting.
Vidmantas Šakalys, CEO of Vital3D Technologies, explains how laser technology is advancing bioprinting and opening up new possibilities in regenerative medicine.
Using 3D printers to create organs and tissues tailored to individual patients’ needs is not the stuff of science fiction – it is a reality that is inching closer with every technological advancement. Bioprinting is a field that is rapidly progressing, with the promise of reshaping the medical landscape.
Some recent breakthroughs underscore the technology’s tremendous potential. Take, for example, the creation of the first-ever small-scale heart to be 3D-printed using human cells, produced at the University of Tel Aviv in 2019, or the recent development of more advanced bio-inks, the substances made of living cells that are used as the raw material in bioprinting.
Breakthroughs like these are fueling a groundswell of enthusiasm around bioprinting. That being said, there are still key challenges that must be overcome before the technology can achieve its full potential. In light of these challenges, the bioprinting industry needs to prioritize innovations that balance technological advancement with long-term patient safety.