There's just a few days left to snag some Marketplace swag at a discount when you... Donate Today! 🎁
Codebreaker

Fake organs need fake tubes

John Moe Sep 16, 2011

German scientists are using 3D printing technology to print blood vessels that efficiently supply nutrients to artificial organs. The missing link with artificial organs has always been finding a way to mimic human capillary vessels. The BBC reports “for a lab-made organ to function, it needs to be equipped with artificial blood vessels – tiny and extremely complex tubes that our organs naturally possess, used to carry nutrients.” These modern-day Dr. Frankensteins will be presenting their work next month at the Biotechnica Fair in Germany.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.