BioPrinting Stem Cells

Continuing with our recent (and totally unexpected) theme of bioprinting, more researchers at Harvard have found a more effective way to print biomaterial with stem cells. Stem cells are very specialized living cells with the unique ability to theoretically spawn any other type of cell in the body, which of course would be incredibly useful to replace damaged body parts. 

 

The problem has been that this ability is compromised when the printed stem cells are subjected to mechanical trauma. Trauma occurs when bioprinters "extrude" cells through a tiny pipette. However, the Harvard team has developed a new method of depositing stem cells using applied sound waves, and preliminary results look good. 

 

Via Kurzweil