Biofabrication | Naomi Paxton | TEDxUniversityofWürzburg

biofabrication is a powerful new

biofabrication is a powerful new scientific research area and in the next

scientific research area and in the next

scientific research area and in the next few years it will revolutionize

few years it will revolutionize

few years it will revolutionize healthcare as we know it as we speak

healthcare as we know it as we speak

healthcare as we know it as we speak biofabrication researchers all around

biofabrication researchers all around

biofabrication researchers all around the world are using 3d printing to

the world are using 3d printing to

the world are using 3d printing to create human body parts and not just

create human body parts and not just

create human body parts and not just models or prosthetics they’re creating

models or prosthetics they’re creating

models or prosthetics they’re creating fully functional biological structures

fully functional biological structures

fully functional biological structures which will be able to repair replace and

which will be able to repair replace and

which will be able to repair replace and restore entire human tissues and organs

restore entire human tissues and organs

restore entire human tissues and organs they will be custom-made to the exact

they will be custom-made to the exact

they will be custom-made to the exact shape and size to fit each individual

shape and size to fit each individual

shape and size to fit each individual person so let’s meet John here who

person so let’s meet John here who

person so let’s meet John here who unfortunately has had a terrible bicycle

unfortunately has had a terrible bicycle

unfortunately has had a terrible bicycle accident using medical scanning a 3d

accident using medical scanning a 3d

accident using medical scanning a 3d model of John’s injury can be created on

model of John’s injury can be created on

model of John’s injury can be created on the computer this is then sent to a

the computer this is then sent to a

the computer this is then sent to a specialized biofabrication 3d printer a

specialized biofabrication 3d printer a

specialized biofabrication 3d printer a scaffold can now be made layer by layer

scaffold can now be made layer by layer

scaffold can now be made layer by layer which will mechanically support the

which will mechanically support the

which will mechanically support the injury as it heals

injury as it heals

injury as it heals also a patient’s own cells can be added

also a patient’s own cells can be added

also a patient’s own cells can be added to the scaffold that way the cells will

to the scaffold that way the cells will

to the scaffold that way the cells will start to grow inside the construct and

start to grow inside the construct and

start to grow inside the construct and replace the tissue once the scaffold is

replace the tissue once the scaffold is

replace the tissue once the scaffold is implanted back into John the cells will

implanted back into John the cells will

implanted back into John the cells will start to restore the lost bone and the

start to restore the lost bone and the

start to restore the lost bone and the scaffold will dissolve over time in just

scaffold will dissolve over time in just

scaffold will dissolve over time in just a few years john’s injury will be

a few years john’s injury will be

a few years john’s injury will be completely mended and that’s just one of

completely mended and that’s just one of

completely mended and that’s just one of the ways that we hope biofabrication

the ways that we hope biofabrication

the ways that we hope biofabrication will revolutionize the treatment of not

will revolutionize the treatment of not

will revolutionize the treatment of not only injuries such as John’s but also

only injuries such as John’s but also

only injuries such as John’s but also organ failure and tissue loss as a

organ failure and tissue loss as a

organ failure and tissue loss as a result of genetic birth defects injuries

result of genetic birth defects injuries

result of genetic birth defects injuries or diseases like cancer

so biofabrication is a brand new

so biofabrication is a brand new research field just a child really in

research field just a child really in

research field just a child really in the family tree of scientific

the family tree of scientific

the family tree of scientific disciplines in fact it’s basically the

disciplines in fact it’s basically the

disciplines in fact it’s basically the baby of three pre-existing research

baby of three pre-existing research

baby of three pre-existing research fields tissue engineering and

fields tissue engineering and

fields tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have largely the

regenerative medicine have largely the

regenerative medicine have largely the same goals as biofabrication but they

same goals as biofabrication but they

same goals as biofabrication but they focus on the biological construction of

focus on the biological construction of

focus on the biological construction of tissues using cells and biological

tissues using cells and biological

tissues using cells and biological molecules seeded onto prefabricated

molecules seeded onto prefabricated

molecules seeded onto prefabricated scaffolds or matrices and together these

scaffolds or matrices and together these

scaffolds or matrices and together these grow and develop into biological

grow and develop into biological

grow and develop into biological structures in parallel 3d printing has

structures in parallel 3d printing has

structures in parallel 3d printing has been rapidly growing in popularity in a

been rapidly growing in popularity in a

been rapidly growing in popularity in a wide range of industries around the

wide range of industries around the

wide range of industries around the world architects are using 3d printing

world architects are using 3d printing

world architects are using 3d printing to create scale models of their designs

to create scale models of their designs

to create scale models of their designs while even NASA are using specialized

while even NASA are using specialized

while even NASA are using specialized metal 3d printers to create parts for

metal 3d printers to create parts for

metal 3d printers to create parts for their rocket engines there are a number

their rocket engines there are a number

their rocket engines there are a number of aspects of 3d printing which are most

of aspects of 3d printing which are most

of aspects of 3d printing which are most attractive to tissue engineering and

attractive to tissue engineering and

attractive to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine and have driven

regenerative medicine and have driven

regenerative medicine and have driven the crossover of 3d printing into the

the crossover of 3d printing into the

the crossover of 3d printing into the field of biofabrication 3d printing as a

field of biofabrication 3d printing as a

field of biofabrication 3d printing as a layer by layer technique has the ability

layer by layer technique has the ability

layer by layer technique has the ability to fabricate fine detail both on the

to fabricate fine detail both on the

to fabricate fine detail both on the inside and the outside of a structure

inside and the outside of a structure

inside and the outside of a structure interlocking parts can be made in one go

interlocking parts can be made in one go

interlocking parts can be made in one go without the need for further assembly

without the need for further assembly

without the need for further assembly and most importantly 3d printing is an

and most importantly 3d printing is an

and most importantly 3d printing is an additive technique so only the exact

additive technique so only the exact

additive technique so only the exact amount of material required for a

amount of material required for a

amount of material required for a structure is added and this saves

structure is added and this saves

structure is added and this saves material wastage so to create a 3d

material wastage so to create a 3d

material wastage so to create a 3d printed object you first need a computer

printed object you first need a computer

printed object you first need a computer model this can be based on drawings such

model this can be based on drawings such

model this can be based on drawings such as engineering sketches or else imaging

as engineering sketches or else imaging

as engineering sketches or else imaging data from a camera in biofabrication

data from a camera in biofabrication

data from a camera in biofabrication medical scan data is used to create and

medical scan data is used to create and

medical scan data is used to create and design the implants what this means is

design the implants what this means is

design the implants what this means is that each part that’s printed can be

that each part that’s printed can be

that each part that’s printed can be customized and planned before it is sent

customized and planned before it is sent

customized and planned before it is sent to the 3d printer these research fields

to the 3d printer these research fields

to the 3d printer these research fields have converged at the optimal time into

have converged at the optimal time into

have converged at the optimal time into this exciting multidisciplinary research

this exciting multidisciplinary research

this exciting multidisciplinary research field which has made massive advances in

field which has made massive advances in

field which has made massive advances in just the last decade

just the last decade

just the last decade in the future we hope that this

in the future we hope that this

in the future we hope that this technology will be available in

technology will be available in

technology will be available in hospitals all around the world to create

hospitals all around the world to create

hospitals all around the world to create functional on-demand 3d printed human

functional on-demand 3d printed human

functional on-demand 3d printed human tissues and organs for rapid

tissues and organs for rapid

tissues and organs for rapid transplantation to treat a wide range of

transplantation to treat a wide range of

transplantation to treat a wide range of defects in America nearly a hundred and

defects in America nearly a hundred and

defects in America nearly a hundred and twenty thousand people are currently

twenty thousand people are currently

twenty thousand people are currently listed on the organ transplant waiting

listed on the organ transplant waiting

listed on the organ transplant waiting list each of these people requires a

list each of these people requires a

list each of these people requires a life-saving organ a heart a liver or a

life-saving organ a heart a liver or a

life-saving organ a heart a liver or a kidney to replace theirs which might be

kidney to replace theirs which might be

kidney to replace theirs which might be damaged or diseased but last year only

damaged or diseased but last year only

damaged or diseased but last year only 31,000 transplants were performed in

31,000 transplants were performed in

31,000 transplants were performed in fact 22 people on the waiting lists died

fact 22 people on the waiting lists died

fact 22 people on the waiting lists died every day where they couldn’t get the

every day where they couldn’t get the

every day where they couldn’t get the life-saving organ donation they needed

life-saving organ donation they needed

life-saving organ donation they needed so how can biofabrication help imagine a

so how can biofabrication help imagine a

so how can biofabrication help imagine a future where in every hospital and

future where in every hospital and

future where in every hospital and surgery room around the world a 3d

surgery room around the world a 3d

surgery room around the world a 3d printer is installed ready to fabricate

printer is installed ready to fabricate

printer is installed ready to fabricate a personalized heart a lung or a

a personalized heart a lung or a

a personalized heart a lung or a pancreas fit every patient who needs one

pancreas fit every patient who needs one

pancreas fit every patient who needs one in 2011 professor Anthony Atala famously

in 2011 professor Anthony Atala famously

in 2011 professor Anthony Atala famously 3d printed a human kidney live on stage

3d printed a human kidney live on stage

3d printed a human kidney live on stage during his TED presentation this is such

during his TED presentation this is such

during his TED presentation this is such a fantastic example of some of the

a fantastic example of some of the

a fantastic example of some of the research being done around the world to

research being done around the world to

research being done around the world to make this vision a reality

like John from our earlier example many

like John from our earlier example many people around the world suffer from

people around the world suffer from

people around the world suffer from significant tissue loss many patients

significant tissue loss many patients

significant tissue loss many patients who are diagnosed with certain types of

who are diagnosed with certain types of

who are diagnosed with certain types of cancer may have to have large portions

cancer may have to have large portions

cancer may have to have large portions of tissue removed to destroy the cancer

of tissue removed to destroy the cancer

of tissue removed to destroy the cancer and to prevent the further spread of

and to prevent the further spread of

and to prevent the further spread of disease for example people diagnosed

disease for example people diagnosed

disease for example people diagnosed with breast cancer may have to have

with breast cancer may have to have

with breast cancer may have to have large amounts of breast tissue removed

large amounts of breast tissue removed

large amounts of breast tissue removed or else bone in the case of bone cancer

or else bone in the case of bone cancer

or else bone in the case of bone cancer in the future we hope these patients

in the future we hope these patients

in the future we hope these patients will have access to personalized 3d

will have access to personalized 3d

will have access to personalized 3d printed pieces of tissue these scaffolds

printed pieces of tissue these scaffolds

printed pieces of tissue these scaffolds will restore the lost tissue and

will restore the lost tissue and

will restore the lost tissue and completely heal these patient’s defects

completely heal these patient’s defects

completely heal these patient’s defects now this is not only important for the

now this is not only important for the

now this is not only important for the functionality of tissues like bones for

functionality of tissues like bones for

functionality of tissues like bones for example which must be strong and healthy

example which must be strong and healthy

example which must be strong and healthy so we can move but the psychological

so we can move but the psychological

so we can move but the psychological effects of tissue loss can have a major

effects of tissue loss can have a major

effects of tissue loss can have a major impact on a person’s mental health their

impact on a person’s mental health their

impact on a person’s mental health their confidence and their sense of identity

confidence and their sense of identity

confidence and their sense of identity particularly for more visible defects

particularly for more visible defects

particularly for more visible defects like those in the facial region having

like those in the facial region having

like those in the facial region having the ability to completely restore these

the ability to completely restore these

the ability to completely restore these defects using patient specific materials

defects using patient specific materials

defects using patient specific materials may have an enormous impact on a

may have an enormous impact on a

may have an enormous impact on a patient’s quality of life another

patient’s quality of life another

patient’s quality of life another example of how biofabrication is going

example of how biofabrication is going

example of how biofabrication is going to have such a major impact is the

to have such a major impact is the

to have such a major impact is the treatment of joint conditions many of us

treatment of joint conditions many of us

treatment of joint conditions many of us in this room might know someone may be a

in this room might know someone may be a

in this room might know someone may be a parent or a grandparent who has had to

parent or a grandparent who has had to

parent or a grandparent who has had to have a knee or a hip replacement in many

have a knee or a hip replacement in many

have a knee or a hip replacement in many cases this operation is performed as a

cases this operation is performed as a

cases this operation is performed as a result of a degenerative condition which

result of a degenerative condition which

result of a degenerative condition which affects the cartilage in our joints

affects the cartilage in our joints

affects the cartilage in our joints cartilage is the strong slippery

cartilage is the strong slippery

cartilage is the strong slippery substance which helps our joints move

substance which helps our joints move

substance which helps our joints move smoothly but in the cases where the

smoothly but in the cases where the

smoothly but in the cases where the cartilage is so damaged the entire joint

cartilage is so damaged the entire joint

cartilage is so damaged the entire joint has to be replaced with large metal

has to be replaced with large metal

has to be replaced with large metal implants in the future biofabrication

implants in the future biofabrication

implants in the future biofabrication researchers hope that these patients

researchers hope that these patients

researchers hope that these patients will be able to receive a 3d printed

will be able to receive a 3d printed

will be able to receive a 3d printed piece of cartilage tissue this scaffold

piece of cartilage tissue this scaffold

piece of cartilage tissue this scaffold will restore this slippery joint coating

will restore this slippery joint coating

will restore this slippery joint coating and leave the patients with fully

and leave the patients with fully

and leave the patients with fully functioning joints again so now we can

functioning joints again so now we can

functioning joints again so now we can see how biofabrication is going to have

see how biofabrication is going to have

see how biofabrication is going to have such a major impact on healthcare we

such a major impact on healthcare we

such a major impact on healthcare we hope it will save lives provide an

hope it will save lives provide an

hope it will save lives provide an immediate answer for patients who

immediate answer for patients who

immediate answer for patients who require an organ donation and improve

require an organ donation and improve

require an organ donation and improve the quality of care of those suffering

the quality of care of those suffering

the quality of care of those suffering from diseases or trauma so you might be

from diseases or trauma so you might be

from diseases or trauma so you might be wondering where I fit into the picture

wondering where I fit into the picture

wondering where I fit into the picture of biofabrication research I’ve been

of biofabrication research I’ve been

of biofabrication research I’ve been studying biofabrication for two years

studying biofabrication for two years

studying biofabrication for two years now in a specialized master’s program

now in a specialized master’s program

now in a specialized master’s program I’ve come here to Germany all the way

I’ve come here to Germany all the way

I’ve come here to Germany all the way from Australia to study in one of the

from Australia to study in one of the

from Australia to study in one of the foremost labs in the world to develop

foremost labs in the world to develop

foremost labs in the world to develop new ways to 3d print bone and cartilage

new ways to 3d print bone and cartilage

new ways to 3d print bone and cartilage tissues but I’m not a biologist

tissues but I’m not a biologist

tissues but I’m not a biologist or a chemist or a medical doctor I have

or a chemist or a medical doctor I have

or a chemist or a medical doctor I have a physics degree so what can I possibly

a physics degree so what can I possibly

a physics degree so what can I possibly bring to the table in a bio fabrication

bring to the table in a bio fabrication

bring to the table in a bio fabrication lab here in Bert’s burg I’ve learnt

lab here in Bert’s burg I’ve learnt

lab here in Bert’s burg I’ve learnt something pretty crucial to studying

something pretty crucial to studying

something pretty crucial to studying biofabrication

biofabrication

biofabrication most biologists don’t know how to write

most biologists don’t know how to write

most biologists don’t know how to write code which is the language 3d printers

code which is the language 3d printers

code which is the language 3d printers speak but most physicists and

speak but most physicists and

speak but most physicists and mathematicians don’t have a clue how to

mathematicians don’t have a clue how to

mathematicians don’t have a clue how to keep cells alive I don’t know how to

keep cells alive I don’t know how to

keep cells alive I don’t know how to synthesize new materials to suspend and

synthesize new materials to suspend and

synthesize new materials to suspend and sustain cells in complex polymer

sustain cells in complex polymer

sustain cells in complex polymer networks but my chemistry colleagues

networks but my chemistry colleagues

networks but my chemistry colleagues need my help to program a 3d printer to

need my help to program a 3d printer to

need my help to program a 3d printer to dispense multiple materials at the same

dispense multiple materials at the same

dispense multiple materials at the same time to create complex tissue structures

time to create complex tissue structures

time to create complex tissue structures it is this multidisciplinary approach to

it is this multidisciplinary approach to

it is this multidisciplinary approach to biofabrication research which I believe

biofabrication research which I believe

biofabrication research which I believe is the reason why the field has

is the reason why the field has

is the reason why the field has developed so rapidly and will drive by a

developed so rapidly and will drive by a

developed so rapidly and will drive by a fabrication research into the future so

fabrication research into the future so

fabrication research into the future so here’s a typical day in the lab here at

here’s a typical day in the lab here at

here’s a typical day in the lab here at the University of würzburg my current

the University of würzburg my current

the University of würzburg my current research project is to 3d print

research project is to 3d print

research project is to 3d print cartilage scaffolds to ultimately

cartilage scaffolds to ultimately

cartilage scaffolds to ultimately improve joint function to do this a user

improve joint function to do this a user

improve joint function to do this a user specialized biofabrication 3d printer

specialized biofabrication 3d printer

specialized biofabrication 3d printer which can first print a mechanical

which can first print a mechanical

which can first print a mechanical scaffold made out of a biodegradable

scaffold made out of a biodegradable

scaffold made out of a biodegradable biocompatible polymer and in the pause a

biocompatible polymer and in the pause a

biocompatible polymer and in the pause a specialized material called a hydrogel

specialized material called a hydrogel

specialized material called a hydrogel is deposited that can contain the

is deposited that can contain the

is deposited that can contain the patient’s own cells so to do this

patient’s own cells so to do this

patient’s own cells so to do this research I work very closely with a

research I work very closely with a

research I work very closely with a number of other team members firstly

number of other team members firstly

number of other team members firstly biologists extract and carefully grow

biologists extract and carefully grow

biologists extract and carefully grow cartilage cells these are then loaded

cartilage cells these are then loaded

cartilage cells these are then loaded into a hydrogel which is made by

into a hydrogel which is made by

into a hydrogel which is made by chemists I then take this hydrogel and

chemists I then take this hydrogel and

chemists I then take this hydrogel and load it into our 3d bioprinter to first

load it into our 3d bioprinter to first

load it into our 3d bioprinter to first make that mechanical support structure

make that mechanical support structure

make that mechanical support structure and then in the paws the hydrogel

and then in the paws the hydrogel

and then in the paws the hydrogel containing cells ultimately the cells

containing cells ultimately the cells

containing cells ultimately the cells would grow throughout the scaffold and

would grow throughout the scaffold and

would grow throughout the scaffold and it would turn into functional cartilage

it would turn into functional cartilage

it would turn into functional cartilage tissue it’s my job to make sure that the

tissue it’s my job to make sure that the

tissue it’s my job to make sure that the 3d printer prints this construct

3d printer prints this construct

3d printer prints this construct correctly I need to make sure that

correctly I need to make sure that

correctly I need to make sure that enough hydrogel completely fills the

enough hydrogel completely fills the

enough hydrogel completely fills the pores that the entire construct

pores that the entire construct

pores that the entire construct is mechanically strong enough to

is mechanically strong enough to

is mechanically strong enough to withstand the forces in a human leg and

withstand the forces in a human leg and

withstand the forces in a human leg and that the cells survive the printing

that the cells survive the printing

that the cells survive the printing process studying biofabrication is not

process studying biofabrication is not

process studying biofabrication is not only applying my physics and maths

only applying my physics and maths

only applying my physics and maths training but also learning and adapting

training but also learning and adapting

training but also learning and adapting to working with other scientists and

to working with other scientists and

to working with other scientists and engineers who each have their own unique

engineers who each have their own unique

engineers who each have their own unique perspective and approach to solving some

perspective and approach to solving some

perspective and approach to solving some of these complex challenges so

of these complex challenges so

of these complex challenges so biofabrication has made massive leaps

biofabrication has made massive leaps

biofabrication has made massive leaps forward in just the last decade and now

forward in just the last decade and now

forward in just the last decade and now we have all of the equipment we need to

we have all of the equipment we need to

we have all of the equipment we need to tackle some of the biggest healthcare

tackle some of the biggest healthcare

tackle some of the biggest healthcare challenges in the world but there are

challenges in the world but there are

challenges in the world but there are still a number of hurdles to overcome

still a number of hurdles to overcome

still a number of hurdles to overcome I’d like to talk about three major

I’d like to talk about three major

I’d like to talk about three major challenges which we face in

challenges which we face in

challenges which we face in biofabrication before this technology

biofabrication before this technology

biofabrication before this technology can be introduced into routine clinical

can be introduced into routine clinical

can be introduced into routine clinical use the first of these challenges is the

use the first of these challenges is the

use the first of these challenges is the concept of vascular ization this is the

concept of vascular ization this is the

concept of vascular ization this is the blood supply network that connects all

blood supply network that connects all

blood supply network that connects all of our tissues and organs in our body

of our tissues and organs in our body

of our tissues and organs in our body virtually all tissues and organs have to

virtually all tissues and organs have to

virtually all tissues and organs have to be connected to this blood supply to

be connected to this blood supply to

be connected to this blood supply to make sure that the cells are fed and

make sure that the cells are fed and

make sure that the cells are fed and that waste can be removed away and this

that waste can be removed away and this

that waste can be removed away and this holds true for bio fabricated constructs

holds true for bio fabricated constructs

holds true for bio fabricated constructs as well they also have to be connected

as well they also have to be connected

as well they also have to be connected to this blood supply to make sure that

to this blood supply to make sure that

to this blood supply to make sure that the cells get the nutrients they need to

the cells get the nutrients they need to

the cells get the nutrients they need to regrow a good example of a solution to

regrow a good example of a solution to

regrow a good example of a solution to this problem requires the input from all

this problem requires the input from all

this problem requires the input from all of these science and engineering

of these science and engineering

of these science and engineering disciplines I’ve been talking about new

disciplines I’ve been talking about new

disciplines I’ve been talking about new 3d printers developed by engineers have

3d printers developed by engineers have

3d printers developed by engineers have the ability to fabricate a fine network

the ability to fabricate a fine network

the ability to fabricate a fine network of tubes throughout a bio fabricated

of tubes throughout a bio fabricated

of tubes throughout a bio fabricated construct in these tubes special cells

construct in these tubes special cells

construct in these tubes special cells can grow and develop into blood vessels

can grow and develop into blood vessels

can grow and develop into blood vessels the material that was printed can then

the material that was printed can then

the material that was printed can then be washed out of the structure and this

be washed out of the structure and this

be washed out of the structure and this leaves a fine network of pores all the

leaves a fine network of pores all the

leaves a fine network of pores all the way through the construct which would

way through the construct which would

way through the construct which would then be connected to the blood supply

then be connected to the blood supply

then be connected to the blood supply moving forward it is this continued

moving forward it is this continued

moving forward it is this continued multidisciplinary approach to by a

multidisciplinary approach to by a

multidisciplinary approach to by a fabrication which is one of the key

fabrication which is one of the key

fabrication which is one of the key reasons why the field has developed so

reasons why the field has developed so

reasons why the field has developed so rapidly using this collaborative

rapidly using this collaborative

rapidly using this collaborative approach we see how each piece of the

approach we see how each piece of the

approach we see how each piece of the puzzle is being developed in parallel to

puzzle is being developed in parallel to

puzzle is being developed in parallel to hell this technology towards routine

hell this technology towards routine

hell this technology towards routine clinical use the second major challenge

clinical use the second major challenge

clinical use the second major challenge I’d like to talk about extends outside

I’d like to talk about extends outside

I’d like to talk about extends outside of the science lab the legal framework

of the science lab the legal framework

of the science lab the legal framework for the regulation of medical devices

for the regulation of medical devices

for the regulation of medical devices and materials and technologies

and materials and technologies

and materials and technologies biofabrication has made substantial

biofabrication has made substantial

biofabrication has made substantial progress towards clinical trials but

progress towards clinical trials but

progress towards clinical trials but this technology will never be able to be

this technology will never be able to be

this technology will never be able to be used in hospitals without the approval

used in hospitals without the approval

used in hospitals without the approval of the governing agencies such as the

of the governing agencies such as the

of the governing agencies such as the European Commission or the Food and Drug

European Commission or the Food and Drug

European Commission or the Food and Drug Administration in America who closely

Administration in America who closely

Administration in America who closely control and regulate the use of

control and regulate the use of

control and regulate the use of materials treatment options tools and

materials treatment options tools and

materials treatment options tools and devices to make sure that they’re used

devices to make sure that they’re used

devices to make sure that they’re used in the safe and appropriate manner until

in the safe and appropriate manner until

in the safe and appropriate manner until now medical device regulation hasn’t had

now medical device regulation hasn’t had

now medical device regulation hasn’t had to do with the concept of 3d printed

to do with the concept of 3d printed

to do with the concept of 3d printed constructs which also contain a

constructs which also contain a

constructs which also contain a patient’s own biological materials in

patient’s own biological materials in

patient’s own biological materials in fact biofabrication falls right through

fact biofabrication falls right through

fact biofabrication falls right through the cracks of the existing legal

the cracks of the existing legal

the cracks of the existing legal framework world-leading biofabrication

framework world-leading biofabrication

framework world-leading biofabrication researchers have identified this as one

researchers have identified this as one

researchers have identified this as one of the key challenges which could

of the key challenges which could

of the key challenges which could disrupt the translation of

disrupt the translation of

disrupt the translation of biofabrication into routine clinical use

biofabrication into routine clinical use

biofabrication into routine clinical use this hurt this challenge is being

this hurt this challenge is being

this hurt this challenge is being tackled by researchers and medical

tackled by researchers and medical

tackled by researchers and medical device companies in collaboration with

device companies in collaboration with

device companies in collaboration with politicians policy makers governing

politicians policy makers governing

politicians policy makers governing agencies and lawyers the final challenge

agencies and lawyers the final challenge

agencies and lawyers the final challenge I’d like to talk to you about is an

I’d like to talk to you about is an

I’d like to talk to you about is an ethical challenge let’s say in ten years

ethical challenge let’s say in ten years

ethical challenge let’s say in ten years time we have the ability to fabricate

time we have the ability to fabricate

time we have the ability to fabricate any human tissue or organ and it will

any human tissue or organ and it will

any human tissue or organ and it will completely restore the function of the

completely restore the function of the

completely restore the function of the damaged tissue or organ now let’s say

damaged tissue or organ now let’s say

damaged tissue or organ now let’s say after an accident I need a new pair of

after an accident I need a new pair of

after an accident I need a new pair of lungs but maybe I don’t want replacement

lungs but maybe I don’t want replacement

lungs but maybe I don’t want replacement ones like my old lungs

ones like my old lungs

ones like my old lungs maybe they didn’t work very well or I

maybe they didn’t work very well or I

maybe they didn’t work very well or I had asthma maybe I’d like a better lungs

had asthma maybe I’d like a better lungs

had asthma maybe I’d like a better lungs lungs like Michael Phelps which will let

lungs like Michael Phelps which will let

lungs like Michael Phelps which will let me hold my breath longer and pump more

me hold my breath longer and pump more

me hold my breath longer and pump more oxygen through my body

oxygen through my body

oxygen through my body what about lungs even better than that

what about lungs even better than that

what about lungs even better than that what if we can create muscles which are

what if we can create muscles which are

what if we can create muscles which are twice as strong hearts which never fail

twice as strong hearts which never fail

twice as strong hearts which never fail or unbreakable bones

or unbreakable bones

or unbreakable bones the question is how do we define being

the question is how do we define being

the question is how do we define being human and do we have the right to not

human and do we have the right to not

human and do we have the right to not just replace and restore but also

just replace and restore but also

just replace and restore but also improve the function of human tissues

improve the function of human tissues

improve the function of human tissues and organs using biofabrication this is

and organs using biofabrication this is

and organs using biofabrication this is a question I certainly don’t know the

a question I certainly don’t know the

a question I certainly don’t know the answer to but is a considerable ethical

answer to but is a considerable ethical

answer to but is a considerable ethical issue for future generations to tackle

issue for future generations to tackle

issue for future generations to tackle until then we hope the power of

until then we hope the power of

until then we hope the power of biofabrication research will bring us

biofabrication research will bring us

biofabrication research will bring us the ability to treat everyone on the

the ability to treat everyone on the

the ability to treat everyone on the organ transplant waiting lists men

organ transplant waiting lists men

organ transplant waiting lists men diseased bones and cartilage and restore

diseased bones and cartilage and restore

diseased bones and cartilage and restore the function of joints nerves and

the function of joints nerves and

the function of joints nerves and muscles to ultimately improve and save

muscles to ultimately improve and save

muscles to ultimately improve and save the lives of millions of people around

the lives of millions of people around

the lives of millions of people around the world thank you