Scientists "bioprint" full-thickness human skin

What's the news: Scientists can now "bioprint" full-thickness human skin.

Why should we believe it: This news is based on a new study that was published just yesterday by scientists at Wake Forest School of Medicine. The scientists took six types of human cells and grew them via a process known as “extrusion bioprinting” into normal, three-layered, human skin.

In lab conditions, the new skin maintained its normal structure and matured appropriately. Scientists then tested the human skin by transplanting it into mice and pigs. The result:

• Proper vascularization

• No scarring

• Faster wound healing

Why this is a big deal: At the moment, full-thickness skin wounds can be treated with skin grafts or with dermal skin substitutes. But grafts are limited in size and often don't take, while skin substitutes don't have all the properties of normal skin. That's why this new research is a breakthrough — it provides new, normal, healthy, unlimited skin on demand.

So what's next: The research team suggests that skin bioprinting is ready for clinical studies in humans. Such initial clinical studies are likely to be in highly specialized cases involving people with serious wounds, burns, or disease.

But looking into the future, who knows where this new skin technology will lead? All I will say is that plastic surgery also got its start after WWI to treat disfigured soldiers, and then became a mainstream cosmetic practice.