Printing New Organs: Foundation Funds Medical Technology That Replicates Human Tissue

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 10 Jun 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Methuselah Foundation has identified Organovo, Inc. as a leader in the extraordinary science of bio-printing. The US Department of Health and Human Services predicts: "Within 20 years regenerative medicine will be the standard of care for replacing all tissue/organ systems in the body." Organovo, with the support of Methuselah Foundation, is applying its breakthrough organ printing technologies to make that prediction a reality.

"Methuselah Foundation, through the generosity of its donors, funds multiple strategies designed to extend healthy human life," according to Dave Gobel, Founder and CEO.

The MLife Sciences program of Methuselah Foundation seeks long-term strategies to combat the progressive, degenerative process of biological aging. What is accepted as "aging" is a wide range of damage that occurs at the cellular level. Our bodies show and feel the results: functionality is lost and age-related frailty, disability and disease take over.

Organovo is developing a very promising solution. Their 3-dimensional bio-printer lays down bio-ink that fuses into complex tissue, creating new tissue to replace diseased tissue. Rejection of transplanted tissue is not a concern; the cells that are used can be taken from youthful progenitor cells from the patient to replace the older diseased cells.

Keith Murphy, CEO of Organovo, looks ahead, "Organovo has an exciting technology platform that has attracted broad investment at a time when capital is not free flowing. The technology has immediate applications in cardiovascular therapeutics, and as the platform of choice for three dimensional tissue development. In the future Organovo hopes to provide 'Tissue on Demand' for surgical applications."

Organovo, Inc. is a seed-stage regenerative medicine company that applies proprietary organ printing technology to solve critical problems in transplant medicine, cardiovascular medicine, tissue repair, and medical research.

Keith Murphy, CEO of Organovo, looks ahead, "Organovo has an exciting technology platform that has attracted broad investment at a time when capital is not free flowing. The technology has immediate applications in cardiovascular therapeutics, and as the platform of choice for three dimensional tissue development. In the future Organovo hopes to provide 'Tissue on Demand' for surgical applications."

Organovo, Inc. is a seed-stage regenerative medicine company that applies proprietary organ printing technology to solve critical problems in transplant medicine, cardiovascular medicine, tissue repair, and medical research.

Methuselah Foundation is a non-profit medical charity dedicated to extending healthy human life. The Foundation supports strategies that accelerate progress toward a comprehensive cure for age-related disease, disability, and suffering. Supported by the donations of individuals and organizations, the Foundation replaces resignation with an understanding of what is possible. Methuselah Foundation's programs include near, mid-and long-term strategies that advance the mission of ending age-related disease through awareness, education, scientific research and direct community outreach

Source: Methuselah Foundation