With the help of 3-D printers, even hobbyists can make model rockets or gaming accessories out of seemingly nothing. What if that printer could make new body parts, such as an ear, lung or skin? This may sound like science fiction. But scientists are already using living cells to “ink” prototypes of these tissues.
This 3-D bioprinting uses the same basic strategy now used to print toys, sculptures, metal pieces or even basketballs. Specialized printers just swap out plastic or metal for living cells.
Explainer: What is 3-D printing?
Actually, there’s a bit more to it than that. In most cases, you can’t use the same devices to make tissues. And you can’t just spew cells on...
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