Israeli researchers say they have 3D-printed a small human heart.

In what local media is calling a “world's first”, scientists at Tel Aviv University have used human tissue that includes vessels, collagen, and biological molecules.

The experts hope one day to supersede organ donation entirely, but the rodent-sozed printed heart is not quite there yet.

“The cells need to form a pumping ability; they can currently contract, but we need them to work together,” said lead scientist Dr Tal Dvir.

“This is the first time anyone anywhere has successfully engineered and printed an entire heart complete with cells, blood vessels, ventricles and chambers.”

The heart was made from a “personalised hydrogel” made into “bioinks”, explained in a new paper in the journal Advanced Science.