University of Minnesota Physician Discusses the Future Capabilities of 3D Bioprinting

Due to the significant improvements in the technology world, there are many new and innovative ideas as to how to use 3D printing capabilities in the medical field. Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant & Cellular Therapy at University of Minnesota, is currently researching how 3D bioprinting can improve science and benefit patients. 3D bioprinting uses biological material, with or without live cells, to print a variety of structures including biological tissue. Because 3D bioprinting is a developing field with many different uses in medicine and research, there are currently clinical trials testing these biological tissues. According to Dr. Panoskaltsis-Mortari, this technology could be used in the future for 3D bioprinting an organ for transplantation, developing handheld printing models for repairing damaged tissue, and using 3D bioprinting to make pills. To learn more about 3D bioprinting and Dr. Panoskaltsis-Mortari’s work, follow this link.