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Podcast: IEN Radio
Episode: Team 3D Prints Tracheas
Description: Researchers from Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) used an integrated tissue-organ printer (ITOP) to 3D-bioprint a trachea. Researchers have already 3D-printed tracheal splints and scaffolds to grow tissue-engineered tracheas, but this is the first trachea with various functional materials. Previous attempts failed because they only used regenerated cartilage tissue. According to the researchers, they weren't strong enough to hold the airways open or provide the necessary flexibility.These constructs were printed with cartilage and smooth muscle regions at the same time using biodegradable polyester material and stem cell hydrogels. The cartilage pr...