3D printed human skin

Spanish scientists have managed to 3D print fully functional human skin, reports the journal “Engineering and Technology”.

The technology will revolutionize the treatment of burn patients, as it allows the generation of new tissue directly from a person’s cells. The cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries could certainly benefit from the discovery, the publication comments.

The “skin” could be transplanted into patients or used to test chemical products, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals in large quantities, in less time and at lower prices; The technology is a joint development of the Center for Research on Energy, Environment and Technology, the Gregorio Marañón University Hospital and the bioengineering company BioDan Group. The tissue obtained through suspensions of biological components mimics the structure of human skin, with an epidermis, a deeper layer that produces collagen and a dermis.

This bioprinting method allows skin to be generated in a standardized and automated manner, making the process far cheaper than manual production; Only human cells and components are used to make the skin, which is bioactive and can produce its own human collagen;

The technology is currently being studied by European regulatory authorities and is expected to be approved for the treatment of burns and other injuries.

Source: kaldata.com