South SFV Today

Stanford University is at the forefront of a bold initiative that seeks to revolutionize the medical field through advanced 3D printing techniques. The effort is led by Mark Skylar-Scott and his team, who aim to convert a paste of living cells into fully functional hearts and other organs. This project is part of the university's "Research Matters" series, showcasing the work of Stanford scientists.

Chronic organ failure, such as heart failure, remains a significant health challenge in the United States, with around 500,000 new diagnoses every year. However, the limited availability of donor organs means that only a few heart transplants occur annually. Skylar-Scott's approach involves creating organs using a patient's own cells, significantly reducing the likelihood of rejection and eliminating the need for immunosuppressants.

"We hope that large animal study becomes a springboard to then lay out the milestones needed for a first in-human trial," Skylar-Scott said. Despite the challenges, the team is optimistic about having a 3D-printed human organ inside a pig model within three and a half years. They foresee this breakthrough as a crucial step toward achieving in-human trials, which could still be more than a decade away.

Skylar-Scott emphasizes the potential of this technology: "It really is the holy grail of what I think curative medicine ought to move towards: You’ve got a failing organ? Here’s a new one." The research aligns with the mission of academic institutions to pursue innovative solutions, even if they appear overly ambitious compared to the private sector's investment timelines.

The project has sparked interest among venture capitalists, yet Skylar-Scott acknowledges the skepticism that such immense ambition often faces. Nonetheless, he remains committed to the pursuit, stating, "I just love my job, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to take a problem that is impossible and make it not quite impossible."

This pioneering endeavor reflects the critical role of universities in advancing human health and the transformation of biomedical research.