The potential for 3D bioprinting has been further expanded thanks to the work of engineers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), who have developed a soft robotic arm that can print directly onto organs and tissues inside the human body. “Existing 3D bioprinting techniques require biomaterials to be made outside the body and implanting that into a person would usually require large open-field surgery which increases infection risks,” said Dr Thanh Ngo Do, corresponding author of the study. The team behind the F3DB say that with further development, the device should be ready for use by healthcare professionals within five to seven years