Miniature Organs used for drug testing

Tiny organs printed in 3D aim for "body on a chip" for better test results

In hopes to design a more efficient drug testing method, the Wakeforest Institute for Regenerative Medicine has developed a "body on a chip". They use 3D printers to make miniature organs, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and blood vessels. These miniature organs are essentially chucks of their respective organ, kept alive by a blood subsitute on a 2 by 5in chip.  Although they are not functional, they allow researches to see the affects of diseases or medicines. The sensors on the chip will measure and keep track of temperature, oxygen levels and pH. Without having to do human or animal testing, the 'body on a chip' allows drug manufacturers to see how an entire body system would respond to a drug or other chemical agent.

Being able to develop a miniature body system, is truly astounding. Hopefully this method will be refined and can be used as the future of defense against biological warfare.

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/tiny-organs-printed-3-d-aim-body-chip-better-drug-8C11170018