In Southern California this chap (left) and his crew are busy coaxing blood vessels into existence.

Organovo, a San Diego biotech firm specializing in regenerative medicine successfully created a process for printing blood vessels. Organovo is hoping blood vessels are just the beginning.  Next stop?  Printing full organs.

The blood vessels can be made from an individual’s own cells, meaning they’d be less likely to be rejected and the transplant patient won’t need long-term treatment with immuno-depressants.

Now, Organovo’s story in and of itself is pretty fascinating, and could mean a ridiculous advance for medical science.

But man, just think of the origin story just waiting to happen.

Let’s just say that Peter P. over has some kind of lab mishap.  Maybe exposure to some rapidly growing stem cells?  “Pete, that’s not your Slurp… NOOOOO!!!!!!”

I’m thinking regeneration and the ability to shoot some kind of vessel tendril would definitely be on the list of powers.

What else?  Leave a comment below.

via Wired