The cornea of ​​the human eye was 3D printed

According to researchers at the University of Newcastle, 3D printing can be used to create an unlimited number of corneas in the eye. The researchers worked by mixing stem cells from a healthy donor cornea with alginate and collagen.

Tissue engineering professor and lead researcher Che Cannon explained that the unique gel, dubbed by the scientists as “ bioinks, '' helps keep corneal stem cells alive. It is tough enough to hold its shape, yet soft enough to be squeezed out of the printer nozzle.

Cannon noted that the printed corneas still need further testing and that it will take several years before than they can be used for transplantation.