Printing a Human Kidney on Stage

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

ƒ/2

100 mm

1/640

2000

Dr. Anthony Atala shows a kidney created layer by layer by the printer in the background. A modified desktop ink jet printer sprays cells instead of inks. The cells are cultured from the patient and the structural template for the kidney comes from MRI scans (so it will be the right size and shape).

The TED Video just went online.

Using similar technology, Atala constructed a bladder for a young boy, Jake, 10 years ago. At the end of the talk (photo below), Jake rejoined the good doctor on stage to thank him.

10 responses to “Printing a Human Kidney on Stage”

jurvetson

Mar 8, 2011 at 12:47 am

Session host Juan Enriquez with Jake and Atala:

Reply
chemical business

Mar 8, 2011 at 1:26 am

!!!! Awesome !!!! Wish I had thought of this….

Reply
Wind Watcher

Mar 8, 2011 at 2:18 am

Neat!

Reply
Urban Camper.

Mar 8, 2011 at 2:24 am

wow. we need more people like this.

Reply
ranjit

Mar 8, 2011 at 4:00 am

That’s pretty amazing.

Reply
msamaclean ©

Mar 8, 2011 at 4:22 am

This process is amazing to see. A bit different than using an organic matrix scaffold for cells, like they use to make an ear or a valve, etc., but just imagine the possibilities not yet thought of !

Reply
flytrue2

Mar 8, 2011 at 5:21 am

Saw this first on PBS’ Nova Science Now. Incredible technology with enormous potential.

Reply
solerena

Mar 8, 2011 at 5:54 am

fantastic, real change:)

Reply
Black&Color

Mar 9, 2011 at 11:48 pm

wow

Reply
TomiTapio

Mar 17, 2011 at 5:25 pm

Yay, vat-grown parts!

Reply

Printing a Human Kidney on Stage

10 responses to “Printing a Human Kidney on Stage”

Leave a Reply to flytrue2 Cancel reply