Scientists from which country created the world's first 3D-printed human…

World's-first scientific and medical breakthroughs are credited to the specific research institution and country that first published verified, peer-reviewed evidence of the achievement — not to any country that is broadly active in the same research field.

In May 2018, researchers at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom used a bio-ink made from alginate, collagen, and human corneal stromal stem cells to 3D-print the shape of a human cornea in under ten minutes. This work was published in the peer-reviewed journal Experimental Eye Research and was recognised by Guinness World Records as the first 3D-printed human cornea.

• Japan has strong biotechnology and regenerative-medicine research programmes, but no verified first-in-world 3D-printed human cornea is credited to a Japanese team.

• The USA is active in biomedical engineering and 3D-bioprinting research, but the verified first 3D-printed human cornea is not attributed to a US team.

• China has made major advances in biotechnology and additive manufacturing, but the verified first 3D-printed human cornea breakthrough is not credited to a Chinese team.