An ear grown in a laboratory was transplanted to a man. It's made from his own cells

The surgery was performed as part of an early-stage clinical trial to evaluate its safety and

effectiveness for people with microtia. This is a disorder in which the outer ear is small and malformed.

AuriNovo is an implant developed by 3DBio Therapeutics. The operation was led by Arturo Bonilla, founder and director of the Microtia Institute.

First, the patient had a 3D scan of the opposite ear to create a blueprint. The researchers then took a sample of ear cartilage cells to grow it. 

These cells were then mixed with bioink forcollagen base to artificially form the outer ear. The implant was surrounded by a printed, biodegradable shell to maintain its shape. Later, it is absorbed into the patient's body.

According to the researchers, the implanted ear matures over time, acquires a natural appearance and feels like a normal ear.

It is expected that 11 patients will take part in the clinical study.

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