Organovo Holdings — a creator and manufacturer of functional, three-dimensional human tissues for medical research and therapeutic applications — announced that it is working together with Autodesk researchers to create the first 3D design software for bioprinting (See this Washington Post science story for how bioprinting works). The partnership represents an exciting step forward for designing three-dimensional human tissues and has the potential to open up bioprinting to a broader group of users. Currently, design tissue for 3D printing is limited to programming, and being able to design in 3D will greatly improve the pace of design and ultimately, the pace of research. Organovo’s 3D bioprinting technology is used to create living human tissues, and Autodesk Research is lending its expertise in developing 3D software for the design and simulation of molecular systems and living systems. “Autodesk is an excellent fit for developing new software for 3D bioprinters,” said Keith Murphy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Organovo. “This partnership will lead to advances in bioprinting, including both greater flexibility and throughput internally, and the potential long-term ability for customers to design their own 3D tissues for production by Organovo.” “Bioprinting has the potential to change the world,“ said Jeff Kowalski, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Autodesk. “It’s a blend of engineering, biology and 3D printing, which makes it a natural for Autodesk. I think working with Organovo to explore and evolve this emerging field will yield some fascinating and radical advances in medical research.” Here’s more from New York Times Bits Blog, Wired Design and TechCrunch on the new partnership as well.