Replica human lungs grown by Australian scientists to replace animal testing.
Scientists at the University of Sydney Nano Institute have successfully grown replica human lungs in their laboratory, using a technology that goes beyond bio-printing. The lungs are contained in a plastic tube and resemble a small blob of jelly spread across a thin membrane. The lungs are fully monitored all the time using a biosensor that helps observe when a treatment is working and the injured lung is regenerating. The scientists hope to build multiple organs, connect them, and have them communicate and function together. The use of lab-grown models of human organs is rapidly replacing animal research.