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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ibnanv" data-source="post: 16040298" data-attributes="member: 218596"> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">British researchers used inkjet printers to print two types of central nervous system cells from the retina of adult rats</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The study, by the University of  Cambridge, found that  printed eye cells were able to grow normally and can be kept healthy </li> </ul> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/12/18/article-0-1A2D4F7300000578-105_306x423.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> Scientists have printed new eye cells for the first time Scientists have printed new eye cells for the first time - paving the way to cure some types of blindness in humans. Their research, which used animal cells to test the concept, is the first step towards producing tissue implants. British  researchers used inkjet printers to print two types of central nervous  system cells from the retina of adult rats - ganglion cells and glial  cells. Retinal ganglion  cells transmit information from the eye to certain parts of the brain  and glial cells provide support and protection for neurons. The  study, by the University of Cambridge,  found that printed cells were  able to grow normally and can be kept healthy but more tests are needed  before human trials can begin. ‘The  loss of nerve cells in the retina is a feature of many blinding eye  diseases,’ said Professor Keith Martin and Dr Barbara Lorber from the  university who co-authored the study. ‘The  retina is an exquisitely organised structure where the precise  arrangement of cells in relation to one another is critical for  effective visual function.' They  said that the study has shown for the first time that cells derived  from the mature central nervous system of the eye, can be printed using a  piezoelectric inkjet printer, which uses electrically-charged crystals  to deposit materials directly on substrates. ‘Although  our results are preliminary and much more work is still required, the  aim is to develop this technology for use in retinal repair in the  future,’ they said. Clara Eaglen of the RNIB, told the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25405542" target="_blank">BBC</a>: ‘The key to this research, once the technology has moved on, will be how much useful vision is restored. British researchers used animal cells to test  their concept which thy believe is the first step towards producing  tissue implants, which could be used to cure some types of blindness ‘Even a small bit of  sight can make a real difference, for some people it could be the  difference between leaving the house on their own or not.’ While  it is in its very early stages, 3D printing makes it possible to  arrange cells into highly defined patterns and structures that can be  used in regenerative medicine. Researchers used an inkjet printer that pushed the cells out through a tiny nozzle when an electrical pulse was applied. They also used high speed video technology to take high resolution footage of the process. It is the first time the technology has successfully allowed scientists to print mature central nervous system cells. ‘The  ability to arrange cells into highly defined patterns and structures  has recently elevated the use of 3D printing in the biomedical sciences  to create cell-based structures for use in regenerative medicine,’ the  researchers said.     <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/12/18/article-2525715-1A2D4F8500000578-874_634x368.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> The researchers said the loss of nerve cells in  the retina is a feature of many blinding eye diseases. Their study has  shown for the first time that cells derived from the mature central  nervous system of the eye can be printed using a piezoelectric inkjet  printer. Here, a woman has her eyes tested However, 3D printing of cells can present challenges. Dr  Wen-Kai Hsiao, a researcher at Cambridge, said: ‘In order for a fluid  to print well from an inkjet print head, its properties, such as  viscosity and surface tension, need to conform to a fairly narrow range  of values. Adding cells to the fluid complicates its properties  significantly.’ The  scientists plan on attempting to print other types of retinal cells,  such as rods and cones, which handle vision in low light and changes in  shape, plus colour and detail. Professor  Martin said: ‘We plan to extend this study to print other cells of the  retina and to investigate if light-sensitive photoreceptors can be  successfully printed using inkjet technology. ‘In addition, we would like to further develop our printing process to be suitable for commercial, multi-nozzle print heads.’ The research was published in the journal Biofabrication. </blockquote>

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