重製器官不是夢
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have come up with a new technique to 3D print functional components of the human heart out of collagen.
卡內基梅隆大學研究者研發出一項新技術，成功以膠原蛋白為原料 3D 列印出可運作的心臟組織，
functional(adj.)能夠運作的;正常工作的component(n.) 組成部分;成分;零件collagen(n.) 膠原蛋白
The significant breakthrough has brought the field of biomedical engineering one step closer to being able to 3D print a human heart.
這一重大突破使得生物醫學工程界朝向3D列印心臟的目標邁進了一大步。
bring… one step closer to sth. 使…朝向…邁進了一步
The technique, called FRESH, has enabled the scientists to overcome challenges related to existing 3D bioprinting methods.
這項名為「FRESH」的技術讓科學家們得以克服現有3D生物列印方法遇到的挑戰，
overcome(v.)克服=get overrelated to~與…有關的=associated with~=connected with~
Human organs like the heart are built from specialized cells that are glued together with the aid of a scaffold known as the extracellular matrix (ECM).
心臟等人體器官是由被稱為「細胞外基質」（ECM）的支架為特定細胞提供支持和固定所組成，
organ(n.)器官with the aid of~在…的幫助、協助之下=with the help of~scaffold(n.)(建築工人用的)腳架;鷹架extracellular matrix (ECM) 細胞外基質
However, it has not been possible to rebuild this complex ECM structure using traditional methods.
然而，使用傳統方法無法重建這種複雜的ECM架構，
Collagen plays a crucial role in the structural integrity of the ECM, but when it comes to using it as the ink in bioprinting, it poses some problems.
膠原蛋白是細胞外基質的主要組成成分，但若作為生物列印的材料，會產生一些問題。
play a crucial role in~在…方面扮演重要的角色vital(adj.)必不可少的;極其重要的integrity(n.)完整(性)territorial integrity領土完整性when it comes to~當談到;當說到;在…某方面
“Collagen is a desirable biomaterial to 3D-print with because it constitutes nearly every single tissue in the human body,” explains Andrew Hudson, a biomedical engineering Ph.D. student who participated in the study. “What makes it so hard to 3D print, however, is that it starts out as a fluid… So we’ve developed a technique that prevents it from deforming.”
參與研究的生物醫學工程博士生哈德森解釋：「膠原蛋白是3D列印的理想生物材料，因為人體中幾乎每一個組織都是由膠原蛋白構成，不過使用膠原蛋白作為3D列印材料的困難點在於它一開始是液體⋯⋯所以我們開發出防止它變形的技術。」
desirable(adj.)理想的、令人嚮往的、合意的suitable(adj.)合適的tissue(n.)細胞constitute(v.)形成、構成、組成=make up~=formfluid(n.)液體solid(n.)固體prevent…from…避免…
The FRESH technique allows collagen to be deposited layer-by-layer within a support bath of gel, so that the collagen can solidify in place as the complex 3D structure gradually builds up.
FRESH技術讓膠原蛋白可以逐層沉積在凝膠支架中留待固化，
deposit(v.)(n.)沈澱(物)、沈積(物)a support bath of gel凝膠支架so that~如此一來…為了…solidify(v.)固化=become solid
When the printing is complete, the support gel can be removed simply by heating it to body temperature.
列印完成後，透過將凝膠從室溫加熱到體溫，可以融化去除用來支撐的凝膠。
The researchers have successfully used cells and collagen to print parts of the heart that truly function, such as a heart valve and a small, beating ventricle.
研究人員已成功使用細胞和膠原蛋白列印出可運作的心臟瓣膜和小型、具有搏動能力的心室。
cell(n.)細胞a heart valve心臟瓣膜ventricle(n.)心室
Adam Feinberg, a professor of biomedical engineering at the university, said there are many years of research yet to be done, but the technique could one day be used to print viable hearts or other organs.
卡內基梅隆大學生物醫學工程教授費恩伯格說，雖然還需經過多年的研究，但這項技術有朝一日將可用於列印可運作的心臟或其他器官。
viable(adj.)能生長發育的;可以存活的