RESEARCHERS have used 3-D printing to create a human cornea, a development that could help the estimated 15 million people who are affected by corneal blindnes.

Researchers at Newcastle University in the U.K. used human corneal stromal cells from a donor cornea mixed with alginate and collagen to create a bio-ink, which can be used to 3-D print an artificial cornea.

The researchers needed to create a gel that could keep the stem cells alive, was stiff enough to hold its shape, and could still be pushed through the nozzle of a 3-D printer.

“This builds upon our previous work in which we kept cells alive for weeks at room temperature within a similar hydrogel. Now we are ready to use bio-ink containing stem cells allowing users to start printing tissues without having to worry about growing the cells separately,” said researcher Che Connon, who built the technology with Dr. Steve Swioklo.  (SD-Agencies)