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Organovo
Holdings — a creator and manufacturer of functional, three-dimensional human
tissues for medical research and therapeutic applications — announced that it
is working together with Autodesk researchers to create the first 3D design software
for bioprinting (See this Washington Post science story for how
bioprinting works).
The partnership represents an exciting step forward for
designing three-dimensional human tissues and has the potential to open up
bioprinting to a broader group of users. Currently, design tissue for 3D
printing is limited to programming, and being able to design in 3D will greatly
improve the pace of design and ultimately, the pace of
research. Organovo’s 3D bioprinting technology is used to create living
human tissues, and Autodesk Research is lending its expertise in developing
3D software for the design and simulation of molecular systems and living
systems.
“Autodesk is an excellent fit for developing new software
for 3D bioprinters,” said Keith Murphy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at
Organovo. “This partnership will lead to advances in bioprinting, including
both greater flexibility and throughput internally, and the potential long-term
ability for customers to design their own 3D tissues for production by
Organovo.”
“Bioprinting has the potential to change the world,“ said
Jeff Kowalski, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Autodesk.
“It’s a blend of engineering, biology and 3D printing, which makes it a natural
for Autodesk. I think working with Organovo to explore and evolve this emerging
field will yield some fascinating and radical advances in medical research.”
Here’s more from New York Times Bits Blog, Wired Design and TechCrunch on the new partnership as well.
