Can 3D printing end Type 1 Diabetes?
There are a lot of people living all around the world with Type 1 Diabetes, and there is no cure for the life threatening terminal disease, yet.
Researchers are getting closer and closer to curing and reducing the effects of Type 1 Diabetes.
One possible way researchers are looking to eliminate the effects of Diabetes is by inserting insulin generating cells into the pancreas. According to the report published by IOP, they are working with scientists that are able to 3D print structures to protect the insulin generating cells. This method has been proven unsuccessful because of how the body's immune system would block and attack the cells as soon as they entered the body. But the scientists have created a three dimentional stucture that includes a mixture of alginate and gelatin, this should let the cells (called inserts) enter the body and work.
They still don't know how to keep the cells protected while blood and insulin pass through the human body.
The project at this moment is still being used on petri dishes in the University of Twente. While the cure is far from ready for everyday use, the future for Type 1 Diabetics who don't have to worry about their blood sugar is very near, and it's exciting.
