--- title: "Researchers Create First Ever 3D-Printed Heart Using Human Tissue" description: "Scientists at Tel Aviv University have created 3D printed \"cardiac patches\" and a small heart that includes vessels, collagen, and biological molecules." date: "2019-04-15" modified: "2019-04-15" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/researchers-3d-printed-heart-human-tissue" categories: - "3D Printing" - "Future Materials" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "3D printed organs" - "3d printing" - "artificial organs" --- # Researchers Create First Ever 3D-Printed Heart Using Human Tissue ![Scientists at Tel Aviv University have created 3D printed "cardiac patches" and a small heart that includes vessels, collagen, and biological molecules.]() *\Image: Tel Aviv University\* ## Small Heart In what the Israeli media [is calling]() a "world's first," scientists at Tel Aviv University have 3D printed a small heart using human tissue that includes vessels, collagen, and biological molecules — a breakthrough, [according to *Haaretz*](), that they hope could one day render organ donation obsolete. https://youtu.be/crT9iJMawjk ## Rodent Model The technology is still many years out from human transplants, though — the team's rodent-sized printed heart isn't quite there yet. "The cells need to form a pumping ability; they can currently contract, but we need them to work together," lead scientist Tal Dvir [told *Haaretz*](). "This is the first time anyone anywhere has successfully engineered and printed an entire heart complete with cells, blood vessels, ventricles and chambers," Dvir said. ## Bioinks To print the heart, the scientists created a "personalized hydrogel" to form "bioinks," according to a paper [published today]() in the journal *Advanced Science*. The hydrogel originated from fatty tissues extracted from human test subjects. It's not the first time 3D printing technology was used to print organs. For instance, a team of researchers at ETH Zurich created a [3D printed artificial heart]() back in 2017, but rather than using human tissue, those researchers used a flexible material. **READ MORE:** [Israeli Scientists Print World’s First 3-D Heart]() \[*Haaretz*\] More on 3D printed organs: *[This 3D-Printed Human Heart Can Do Everything a Real One Can]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()