Can We 3D Print Human Organs? Dr. Stephanie Willerth on Bioprinting & Tissue Engineering | Ep. 11

Imagine a future where we can 3D print organs, heal spinal cord injuries, and test new drugs without animal models. That future is closer than you think.In this episode of In Vivo, Dr. Stephanie Willerth explains how bioprinting is transforming regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and personalized healthcare.Topics Covered:- How bioprinting works & how it differs from traditional 3D printing- The role of stem cells in regenerative medicine & personalized implants- How scientists are printing functional tissues & even organs- Why bioprinting could replace animal testing in drug discovery- The biggest challenges in scaling up bioprinted organs for transplantation- How bioprinted tissues could be used for disease modeling & personalized medicine- The future of biofabrication & clinical applications of 3D-printed tissuesAbout Dr. Stephanie Willerth:Dr. Stephanie Willerth is a professor at the University of Victoria and the CEO of Axolotl Biosciences, a leader in bioprinting innovation. Her work in tissue engineering, stem cells, and biomaterials is pushing the boundaries of modern medicine.Listen in to explore how 3D printing is reshaping medicine, from organ regeneration to personalized drug testing.Introduction to Bioprinting and Tissue Engineering - 00:00:00Defining Regenerative Medicine, Tissue Engineering, and Bioprinting - 00:02:06Differences Between Traditional 3D Printing and Bioprinting - 00:03:57The Role of Bioprinting in Tissue Culture Evolution - 00:05:53Potential Applications of Bioprinting in Healthcare - 00:06:14Challenges of Bioprinting Complex Organs - 00:07:26The Importance of Stem Cells in Bioprinting - 00:09:42Engineering Stem Cells for Immune Compatibility - 01:10:40Bio Ink Definition and Function - 01:13:13Resolution in Tissue Printing - 01:13:53Differentiation of Stem Cells in Bioprinting - 01:14:56Current State and Future of Bioprinting - 01:17:24Bioprinting for Drug Screening and Disease Modeling - 01:18:24Predictive Health Applications with Bioprinted Tissues - 01:19:54Integration of Multiple Cell Types in Large Structures - 01:22:13Genetics vs. Scientist Intervention in Tissue Development - 01:24:23Monitoring and Assessing Printed Tissues - 01:26:22Easiest and Hardest Tissues to Print - 01:28:37Therapeutic Applications of Bioprinting in Hospitals - 01:32:07Synergy Between Bioprinting and Brain-Computer Interfaces - 01:37:40Bioprinting as a Tool for Testing and Development - 01:40:58The Viability of Bioprinted Food - 01:43:54Personal Journey into Bioprinting and Entrepreneurship - 01:46:17Transitioning from Academia to Industry - 01:49:19Future Adoption of Bioprinting in Medical Facilities - 01:54:24Advice for Students and Skills for Bioprinting - 01:57:49Open Source in Bioprinting and Ethical Concerns - 01:00:00Hopes for Bioprinting in the Next Decade - 01:03:02Contact Information and Lab Tours - 01:06:41Closing Remarks - 01:06:58Dr. Willerth's Lab - https://www.engr.uvic.ca/~willerth/Dr. Willerth on X - https://x.com/DrWillerthHandbook of Neural Engineering: A Modern Approac by Dr. Willerth - https://www.amazon.ca/Handbook-Neural-Engineering-Modern-Approach/dp/0323957307/ref=sr_1_1?crid=30T4ATSXUZ6YY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nZTnNzTx4HIbNNWts_LbPQ6ks7sEusaig1qrE5WKF6I.ziCXuQxYKY4ib7e9f7-Y3NJQm_XPMtUJhMHRbO9dkCU&dib_tag=se&keywords=stephanie+willerth&qid=1721329322&sprefix=stephanie+willerth%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1Axolotl Biosciences - https://www.axolotlbiosciences.com/homeIn Vivo on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GBvPPvSx52O6ILuam4LoX?si=6c903566ae7b4761&nd=1&dlsi=254f9f5e78194002Attributions:Cellink - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvqnGjmlGaAEngineers and Geoscientists BS - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtKB0BFLy2w&t=1s