THE NEXT BIG THING?

Combining nanotechnology and 3-D printing, scientists are now able to create mechanical devices that mimic the functions of human organs, said Steve Dent in Engadget​.com. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego,  revealed a new liver-like device that can remove dangerous toxins from the blood, a potential boon for victims of “animal stings, bacterial infections, and other toxic horrors.” Nanoparticles have already been found to help neutralize toxins in the blood, but ingesting them can cause secondary infections. To solve this problem, scientists 3-D–printed a hydrogel matrix to house nanoparticles. Used outside the body like a dialysis machine, the device acts as a faux liver, cleansing the blood by attracting and capturing toxins. Though still in early development, a test model successfully destroyed all toxins in multiple studies.