The first person in the world to print and transplant an artificial pancreas was a Pole. I think that Professor Michał Wszoła deserves to me mentioned here because he will save thousands of lives. If he manages to get 9 milion euros, first transplants will start in 2024. Millions of patients who suffer from diabetes, cancer, and pancreatic insufficiency will be saved by this project. About 20,000 Poles require pancreas transplants due to health issues, and for the majority of them, there are no donors available. When compared to the number of people who require such a procedure, around 40 people underwent pancreatic transplants in a single year, which is a relatively small number. All of Europe did 300, the United States 800 transplants in one year. The numbers are really small and it’s teryfying how only few people get helped. There are 6 million people in the globe who might benefit from having an artificial pancreas.
What is a artificial pancreas? When asked, professor Michał replied „this is non natural organ made up of living cells and unique biomaterials that imitate the extracellular elements of the organ”. After completing the entire process of creating materials for the creation of the pancreas, they move on to building the fake pancreas layer by layer using a bioprinter. The pancreas hardens when exposed to a special light during printing. The professor and his team only focus on the functionality of the pancreas; artists are responsible for completing details on the organ, such as veins. The old pancreas is typically left in the patient’s body because it is one of the few organs that does not need to be transplanted into the same location as the original organ, artificial pancreas is placed in a totally different location.
The professor and his team had funding until 2019, after that private investors invested in them. Currently, they are looking for international investors who can give them 9 million euros so they may develop their work even farther than they have before. The professor claims that the conversations they are having with potencial inwestors are headed in a very positive way.
In conclusion, I must say that I am truly grateful that our world is filled with such gifted individuals who, because of their level of knowledge, diligence, and talent, can save the lives of so many people. Individuals who invest hours and hours and hours in work for the benefit of society should be considered heroes.