Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh have developed bone and muscle cells using a custom-designed ink-jet printer. The team has succeeded in bioprinting from adult stem cells from mice.

For years, reports Technology Review, tissue engineers have used souped-up printers, and in some cases off-the-shelf models, to print "bio-inks." These inks consist of anything from proteins to individual cells printed in microscopic patterns. By printing layer upon layer of cell patterns, scientists may one day be able to "print" whole tissues or organs for replacement therapies. (photo bioprinting.jp)