Harvard researchers create first 3-D printed heart-on-a-chip

Editor's Note

Harvard researchers have created the first 3-D printed heart-on-a-chip capable of collecting data on how reliably a heart is beating, and how a heart responds to drugs and toxins, the October 25 Gizmodo reports.

The 3-D printed organ is made of synthetic material designed to mimic the structure and function of native tissue, not to replace a failing organ.

Scientists will be able to conduct experiments on the heart-on-a-chip that in the past required tissue and muscles from animals.

This design may allow scientists to rapidly design organs-on-chips to match specific disease properties or even a patient’s cells.

Scientists may soon be able to conduct experiments on hearts without needing once-living tissue and muscle from animals. In a new study published today in Nature Materials, Harvard University researchers announced they have created the first 3D-printed heart-on-a-chip capable of collecting data abou...