HOUSTON, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Researchers at the University of Texas are using 3-D printers to make tissue, including skin, that could one day help treat wounds and other medical problems, U.S. media reported Thursday.
It has taken a decade for researchers to fulfill the pioneering work, which took place at a bio-medical research lab at the University of Texas, local media KHOU reported.
Leading researcher Thomas Boland revealed the development of a new technology to transform patterns of cells into tissue with inkjet cartridges.
Boland and his team have already successfully grafted printed tissue onto mice. According to the report, that work is under peer review and should be published soon.
In the future, the technology can hopefully be useful in the treatment of humans who have wounds that don't heal, as their bodies are not likely to reject skin printed with their own cells.
The research includes not only skin grafts, but also the development of small patches of fat that could be used to repair breast tissue in women who have had procedures such as a lumpectomy.
However, using the tissue in humans requires more research and regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration, which might take several years, Boland said.