31/12/2025
In just a decade, we might be able to ‘print’ a fully functional heart from our own cells—no rejection, just a perfect fit for YOU!
Israeli researchers 3D-printed the world’s first vascularized heart using a patient’s own cells and biological materials.
Israeli scientists at Tel Aviv University have achieved a historic first by 3D-printing an entire vascularized heart using human cells and biological materials. Unlike previous attempts that focused only on scaffolding or lacked cellular structures, this miniature organ—roughly the size of a rabbit's heart—contains blood vessels, chambers, and the complex architecture necessary for cardiac function. The team utilized a "bioink" derived from a patient's own fatty tissue, which was processed into stem cells and then differentiated into heart and vascular cells. This personalized approach significantly minimizes the risk of organ rejection, as the material is biologically identical to the recipient's own body.
While the heart does not yet beat and requires further development to handle high-pressure blood flow, researchers believe this proof-of-concept could revolutionize how we treat heart failure. Currently, thousands of patients die annually while awaiting organ transplants due to a critical shortage of donors. The ultimate goal is to scale this technology to create full-sized, functional human hearts that can be "printed" on demand in hospitals. If technical hurdles such as structural stability and cellular synchronization are overcome, scientists estimate that routine organ printing could become a reality within the next decade, fundamentally altering the landscape of cardiovascular medicine.
source: Freeman, D.. Scientists create world's first 3D-printed heart using human cells. NBC News MACH.