Replacing human organs with printable ones may sound like science fiction, but research is currently being conducted on the transplantation of an artificial kidney, liver and even a heart.
Israeli biomed firm CollPlant recently established a new division that will 3D-print organs and tissues using a unique biological ink it is currently developing. CollPlant, a regenerative medicine company, is developing a collagen-based bio-ink intended for use in 3D printers that print organs, using various technologies. The company extracts the collagen from locally grown tobacco leaves.
CollPlant grows tobacco in greenhouses to produce 'human' collagen, which is used in the bio-ink that will eventually 3D-print tissues and organs.
According to Yehiel Tal, CollPlant's CEO, over the past several months, "we have substantially ramped up our activities in the 3D printing field. The collagen protein is a key building block in connective tissues in the human body, and therefore is ideal for use as biological ink."
He adds that the company's product 'rhCollagen' is "suitable for use in humans, due to its superior homogeneity, its high safety profile and the fact that it does not cause an immunological reaction."
CollPlant is currently developing a number of formulations of biological ink for various indications, and is working with several large international companies, with the aim of collaborating on the development of organ and tissue printing. Ravit Levrann, a spokeswoman for CollPlant, tells NoCamels the company grows tobacco in greenhouses in order to produce 'human' collagen, which is used in the bio-ink that will eventually 3D-print tissues and organs.
122,000 Americans are waiting for organ transplants
Several companies worldwide are working on 3D-printed organs that could replace human donations. The burgeoning 3D bio-printing market is expected to grow to $1.8 billion by 2022, and to increase substantially as the 3D-printing technology of organs and tissues continues to mature.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, nearly 122,000 Americans are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants (101,000 of these await kidney transplants). Thousands await liver and pancreas transplants, and the waiting list grows every year.