Researchers chose the hydrogel used in 3D printing to host the live human cells due to its high water content|Philip Ezze|CC BY-SA 4.0
Researchers in Austria and India are developing artificial skin with 3D-printed hydrogel layers containing living human cells, potentially providing an animal testing alternative.
Still in the early stages, researchers from the Graz University of Technology and the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in India believe the 3D-printed skin will mimic human skin. Due to its high water content, they chose the hydrogel used in 3D printing to host the live human cells.
Globally, around 500,000 animals suffer each year from cosmetic testing alone, making this innovation a welcome change.
Zoom out: 3D bioengineering is booming. From printed kidneys to blood vessels, the tech is edging us closer to lab-grown organ transplants.