The cosmetics industry has a revenue of billions each year, as it goes to show just how our society loves to look young forever, with the mysterious fountain of youth still being as elusive as ever. This is made possible thanks to researchers from the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, where an experimental “skin printer” created swaths of living tissue that can then be applied to burns and other injuries. Said researchers hope that the printer will be able to see action in remote battlefields to aid wounded soldiers, considering the fact that medical help can be pretty hard to come by under such situations.
The machine relies on biological “inks” that is made from skin cells, collagen, and various coagulants which are ejected from two printer heads. When combined, the inks from the both heads will form a secure bond, a sort of bio-resin. This resin will then be covered by an additional layer of skin cells to seal the injury. Initial tests were done on mice, with pigs being candidates for the second round of tests before it eventually finds its way to the battlefield. While this won’t hold a candle to Wolverine’s healing factor, it sure beats the natural method.
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