3-Dimension Effect on Liver and Drug Testing

3-Dimension Effect on Liver and Drug Testing
Mary Katherine Hayth
Kayla Funk

This blog posting is based off of an article posted on Smithsonian.com on April 25, 2013 titled “This Cute Little Liver Might be the Future of Drug Testing” found in this link:  Smithsonian Post

A company called Organovo has created a “tiny liver” that they believe will be the future of drug testing. These tiny livers are not to be used as a transplant liver per say, but for drug and other medical testing procedures, in which humans are usually used for the testing. This could save so many lives, not to mention time for companies. However, liver printing could raise problems in the media, as many people believe this could not accurately serve as a human replacement. Here is a link that explains the top ten challenges that we face with liver functioning that may keep us from ever using liver printing effectively:

http://http://www.science20.com/confessions_stem_cell_scientist/want_3d_print_yourself_new_organ_top_10_list_challenges-120403

The company site and extended overview of the process is included on their website: http://http://www.organovo.com/3d-human-tissues/3d-human-tissues-research/tissue-models/3d-human-liver-tissue-model

It explains how the liver is largely dependent on the architecture of the organ cells in order to operate effectively. Organavo’s NovoGen Bioprinting creates bio-printed liver tissue that can hold the appropriate cells in order to help the liver return back to it’s original state and function.

This is an awesome TED talk as well, explaining a radical new approach to tissue engineering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u31RXdazMRo.
Scientists believe that the medical field loses millions of dollars in the process of testing drugs between preclinical trials and human trials. However, if we were to test drugs on engineered human tissue before human trials, scientists could be more effective in their research by saving time and money.

Here is a video that explains the process the 3d printing machine goes through when producing the mini livers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3CiJ26YS_U

Resources:

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2013/04/this-cute-little-liver-might-be-the-future-of-drug-testing/

http://www.organovo.com/3d-human-tissues/3d-human-tissues-research/tissue-models/3d-human-liver-tissue-model.