3D Tissue Printing with RepRap Open Source Hardware

Jordan Miller joins us to talk about his work adapting the RepRap 3D printer for use in tissue engineering.

http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/news/penn-researchers-improve-living-tissues-3d-printed-vascular-networks-made-sugar

Tissue "printing" is a much hyped, exciting and fast moving field, but for us, the most significant aspect of this is the fact that it is based on Open Source technology. As Jordan explains “We launched this project from innovations rooted in RepRap and MakerBot technology and their supporting worldwide communities,” Miller said. “A RepRap 3D printer is a tiny fraction of the cost of commercial 3D printers, and, more important, its open-source nature means you can freely modify it. Many of our additions to the project are already in the wild.”

At BTnB, we'd love to set up our own modified RepRap and contribute to developing applications in tissue engineering. Our own Richard Rouse will also be on hand to represent HTS resources and demonstrate the new RepRap system he has customized for multiple innovative functions . http://www.htsresources.com/biochip.fabrication.assay.development.php

Jordan has recently joined Rice University, where he set up a new 3D printing bioengineering lab. He has established a fellowship called AMRI for RepRap developers to attend a month long intensive program bringing together the "Maker and Scientific communities." See http://news.rice.edu/2013/09/03/rice-brc-hosts-advanced-manufacturing-research-institute-2/

In future years he aims to expand this to sites around the country, and BTnB would love to serve as the site of the San Diego AMRI bootcamp workshop.

Read more at
http://www.3dprinterworld.com/article/jordan-miller-helps-rice-university-get-into-medical-3d-printing