Scientists Create 3D Bioprinter Capable of Printing Living Human Skin (ibtimes.co.uk) 54
New submitter drunkdrone quotes a report from International Business Times: Spanish scientists say they have developed a prototype 3D printer that is capable of printing "functional" human skin that can be used for transplant patients, as well as an ethical alternative to animal testing. The so-called bioprinter uses special "ink" consisting of human cells and other biological components to reproduce the natural structure of the skin, including the external epidermis and the deeper dermis layer. These "bio inks" are deposited from special injectors onto a print bed to produce skin that is bioactive and capable of producing its own human collagen, the researchers claim. This means that the 3D-printed skin is, in essence, living tissue, making it suitable for treating burn patients and for testing cosmetic, chemical and pharmaceutical products. According to UC3M, the technology could be used to print other human tissues, although first it needs to be approved by regulators in order to ensure the skin it produces is fit for use on human patients.
It's been done before (Score:2, Informative)
Does anyone remember the movie Darkman? [wikipedia.org]
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This is exactly what we need for our T-800 project.
We'd also be interested in a phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range.
- Pain can be controlled - you just disconnect it
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Just what ya see, pal.
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Nobody expects the Spanish skin printer!
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More importantly, it's been done before in real life. [wikipedia.org] There's a "skin gun" that can basically "bioprint" skin right on a patient [wikipedia.org]. And biologists have been growing skin in vitro for a while now. [medicaljournals.se]
From what I can tell, the only thing special about the current thing is they seem to be the first to use the "bioprint" buzzword in connection with skin. That's likely more due to earlier researchers going for the more lucrative fields
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Hey, I'm just glad I'll finally have a plausible story to tell the cops about the human-skin drum in my living room.
And the curtains. They always ask about those.
Westworld (Score:1)
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Before the robots are developed, we can use this to print our own tattoos at home.
Bye-bye ink shops - another skilled job lost to automation.
So we were right after all (Score:1)
Mark these two events:
Print human skin
Google allows us to address echo as computer
Do the following words sound familiar to you: "hooked into everything" "outside is human tissue, but underneath it is a hyper alloy combat chassis"
"You can't bargain with it; you can't reason with it"
Now do you remember??
So if that guy next to you reeks of sweat and bad breath, he may appear to be a homeless person, at first. Until he asks you what day it is; what year this is. Check his reaction when you answer him with, Rela
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And you're dehumanizing him by thinking that's all he sees based on a joke.
There's nothing more human than pursuing sex. We're animals, that's why there's 7 billion of us cockroaches already here.
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Katie darling, is that you? I didn't think you were the /. type!
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And somebody on Stormfront is sure to download the lampshade design from Thingiverse.
about time! (Score:1)
I'm a black man born into a white man's body. I look forward to the day when I can become a fully cisblack male.
But can it.. (Score:2)
Print over a metallic exoskeleton?
Oh goodie! (Score:2)
Now all we need is to make it print directly over a metallic exoskeleton and it's all ready.
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You should read "Use of Weapons" by Iain M. Banks.
Fleshlight XP (Score:4, Insightful)
Also, get ready for the next generation of fleshlights with feeding instructions.
HP human ink series (Score:5, Funny)
Re:HP human ink series (Score:5, Funny)
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...and it will refuse to print just one colour unless it's loaded with all colours.
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...and it will refuse to print just one colour unless it's loaded with all colours.
...after all, we don't want a racist printer.
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ya know? (Score:1)
tastes like plastic chicken
Skin as art (Score:2)
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You should read "Surface Detail" by Iain M. Banks.
Uncharacteristically cautious phrasing (Score:5, Interesting)
"The so-called bioprinter uses" ... so-called? What else would you call it?
"... and capable of producing its own human collagen, the researchers claim."
"According to UC3M, the technology could be used to..."
This is a far cry from headlines that scream "SCIENTISTS ARE -", only to be followed by an article that says "Some scientists think that maybe one day soon -"
Blisters (Score:1)
How soon until we are able to print animal fur? (Score:2)
I wonder if they will be able to print not only skin cells but hair follicles as well to be able to print custom animal fur. A cost effective fur printer could take over the industry and replace the old methods.
Hmmmm... (Score:1)
Designer fingerprints anyone?
ProLife having fits (Score:2, Interesting)
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Good question. I'll phone them next time I have a haircut :)
Topology people must hate this (Score:2)