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This photo from the University of Tel Aviv shows a 3D print out of a heart with human tissue. Photo: AFP
In a world first a 3-D printer has been used to create an entire heart made with actual human biological material. While the current state of the primitive organ can be compared to the heart of an embryo, it's hoped one day it will be possible to replicate a fully functioning life size human heart. The next step for the researchers is to culture the printed hearts in a lab and "teach them" to behave like hearts. Lynn Freeman discusses with Professor Tal Dvir from the Department of Biotechnology at Tel Aviv University, who led the research.