TED 2011: Anthony Atala Prints Organs

Score: 9 balloons

This was the most fascinating technology demo of TED. Dr. Atala uses a 3D printer (which is already awesome cool in itself) to lay down layers of stem cells in order to create organs for transplant. The unit he brought with him printed out a kidney!

Now the kidney he showed us doesn't yet work. For that step he'll have to hire someone like TED Fellow Nina Tandon, a Columbia University researcher who shared her progress in using electrical current to activate stem cells (e.g. she can make heart cells start beating).



 See the Guide to TED Talks 2011.