Your own cells could be used in a 3D printer in the future to make a bioprinted cartilage to help repair damaged joints. In fact, it’s something that USask researchers are looking at. Brian Eames is a scientist and professor of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology at the College of Medicine. He and his colleagues compared the performance of cells impregnated in two different materials that were 3D printed. One was a squishy hydrogel and the other was a combination of the hydrogel and a stiff plastic. They implanted these materials into animal joints and both helped new cartilage form.

Eames says using the synchrotron on the USask campus they were able to study both and the results were that the hybrid model formed less of a tougher form of cartilage, which means there would be better joint function. H adds that it’s not just cartilage that could be replaced. He says similar 3D printing technologies are being developed for soft tissue damage in the heart, blood vessels and nerves.