Fusing human biology with engineering and robotics

ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) Director Professor Gordon Wallace was recently invited by former federal politician Amanda Vanstone – who hosts ABC Radio National’s Counterpoint program –  to chat about research, collaborations and what inspired him to become a scientist.

The interview titled ‘Fusing human biology with engineering and robotics’ can be found here: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/counterpoint/3d-printing-with-living-cells/9271318

3D printing looks set to create a series of medical breakthroughs. A hand held printer, or biopen, can use living cells within printed structures that are then inserted into the body.

New South Wales 2017 Scientist of the Year Professor Gordon Wallace says the research has exciting potential to regenerate damaged cartilage in knees, bone and even organs.

The fusing of human biology with engineering and robotics also has the potential to fix  specific medical conditions from cancer to diabetes and neural diseases.

3D printing will allow scientists to print a ‘brain on a table’ and research neural connections in ways never previously possible.