A Bangalore-based start-up called Pandorum Technologies has developed artificial 3D bio-printed liver tissues which can be a crucial step in developing new medicines and vaccines. The artificial liver tissues can also be used to manufacture organs for organ transplants. Also Read - Russian COVID-19 vaccine may be ready by August 12, mass production likely by September

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Arun Chandru, MD and Co-founder, of the start-up said that their 3D bio printed mini-livers mimic the human liver and may serve as test platforms for discovery and development of drugs with better efficacy, less side effects and at lower costs. The artificial liver tissues can also overcome hurdles like liver toxicity and drug metabolism that can lead to the failure of human clinical trials. The tissues can also reduce the cost of medical research and may eliminate animal and human trials and will also lead to full-scale transplantable organs. (Read: 3D-printed replica for a safe liver transplant created)

Dr Tuhin Bhowmick, who holds a Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Science and Pandorum Technologies co-founder said that being able to design complex tissues has numerous clinical uses. Cell based oragnoids can be used to develop bio-artificial liver support systems for preserving life in patients with liver failure. These bio printed organs can also help in bridging the acute shortage of human organs for transplantation. (Read: 7 everyday things that are harming your liver)

Pandorum was founded in 2011 and works on design and manufacturing of functional human tissues for medical research, therapeutic and other applications. It is supported by grants from Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Government of India, and is located in the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP). (Read: 8 food rules you should keep in mind for a healthy liver)

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