Cornell scientists use 3-D printer, living-cell injections to create new ears [View all]

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WASHINGTON — Printing out body parts? Cornell University researchers showed it’s possible by creating a replacement ear using a 3-D printer and injections of living cells.

The work reported Wednesday is a first step toward one day growing customized new ears for children born with malformed ones, or people who lose one to accident or disease.

It’s part of the hot field of tissue regeneration, trying to regrow all kinds of body parts. Scientists hope using 3-D printing technology might offer a speedier method with more lifelike results.

If it pans out, “this enables us to rapidly customize implants for whoever needs them,” said Cornell biomedical engineer Lawrence Bonassar, who co-authored the research published online in the journal PLoS One.

full: http://www.theithacajournal.com/viewart/20130220/NEWS01/302200090/Cornell-scientists-use-3-D-printer-living-cell-injections-create-new-ears