Bioprinting: Why do we need it?

What is bioprinting and what is it used for? What is bioprinting? 3D bioprinting is a rapidly growing field, but what exactly does it entail? Much like a 3D printer, it leverages the concept of additive manufacturing to create layers of tissue-like structures often including cells. By using the same tools in 3D design and deposition, scientists can use bioprinting technology to create intricate and sophisticated structures needed to build tissues and organs. While the capabilities of bioprinting have not yet reached the level depicted by popular culture, we are on the brink of a bioprinting revolution and fully transplantable organs should be feasible within the next decade. The potential of 3D bioprinters is immeasurable, with promise in altering the very limits of the human lifespan itself. For those curious about this new technology, here are some basics of bioprinting. Technology: What is a bioprinter? A bioprinter works in a similar way as a 3D printer. It moves in the x, y a...