Scientists 3D print with bio-ink [Video]

Currently, scientists are engineering living materials by harnessing the power of cells and 3D printing. Ziyi Yu, Zhengao Di and their colleagues created a “bio-ink” that contained plant cells. They then infused that bio-ink into a snowflake shape that began to grow as cells can grow, repair, and respond to their environment. So can this engineered ink.

Also known as EPLMs, “engineered plant living materials” are a new frontier that marries synthetic biology and 3D printing, an invention that’s inspired many improvements to the mechanism itself as well as many ideas as to its possible applications such as affordable housing.

Thus far, experiments have mostly attempted to capitalize on bacterial and fungal cells as they are alive and can grow. However, plant cells …