Partnering experts in 3D bioprinting with experts in biomanufacturing has resulted in the first 3D-Bioprinting device that incorporates electrospinning technology. This unique combination of techniques will lead to improved and more accurate 3D bioprinting for therapeutic and drug discovery use.
Bio-inks are a fluid-like materials that contain living cells and can be printed into specific shapes, for example an implant with a personalized shape or a tissue construct for drug testing. Melt electrospinning technology produces ultrafine and durable fibers, which are often arranged into a defined mesh-like structure. Combining these two systems means that live cells can be accurately placed in and onto a mesh and that tissue structures with better strength can be produced. Also the merging of these two exciting technologies will open new opportunities to mimic in vivo-like tissues and organs with complex biological functionalities thanks to accurate bio-architectures combining macro- and nano-dimensions.
The international team consists of:
Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht (http://www.rmutrecht.org)
The Utrecht Biofabrication Facility (http://www.utrechtlifesciences.nl/facilities/facility/utrecht-biofabrication-facility)
regenHU (www.regenhu.com)
“This new device allows us to build complex tissue constructs with high precision, that are mechanically more stable,” says Jos Malda, Associate Professor and head of the Utrecht Biofabrication Facility. “regenHU has a legacy of experience in machine building and this partnership offers strong support for the biofabrication field.”
The melt electrospinning device will be tested with bio-inks to optimize the integration of these two systems in order to generate composite tissue structures and determine the proliferative and differentiative performance of the cells used in the bio-inks
“As a biomanufacturing company, we are excited to work with researchers at the Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, who are at the forefront of bio-ink development and 3D printing,” says Marc Thurner, CEO of regenHU. “It’s important to synergize our strengths in order to bring new technologies to fruition.”
The accuracy, increased fibre strength and breadth of this new bioprinting technology will enable researchers to make structures that more closely resemble the complex architecture and function of real tissues. Such constructs can be used to study disease, drug efficacy and toxicity, and to create regenerative implants.
About Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht
The Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht was established in 2015 and brings together the majority of Utrecht regenerative medicine investigators under one roof, integrating fundamental science, emerging technologies, translational research and clinical care to perform high-quality research, with the aim of developing novel regenerative treatments.
About The Utrecht Biofabrication Facility
The Utrecht Biofabrication Facility was established with support of Utrecht University and the UMC Utrecht in 2013 and is a unique high-tech facility for development, evaluation and clinical translation of 3D tissue constructs. Both parties are connected via Utrecht Life Sciences (ULS), an open innovative network in the Netherlands, in which academic partners, research institutes, government and companies can cooperate.
About regenHU
regenHU is an innovative biomedical company located in Switzerland. regenHU acts as a bio-system architect developing novel bio-manufacturing solutions in order to respond to the emerging challenges facing the biomedical industry. regenHU’s proven and cutting-edge solutions are being implemented globally. regenHU benefits from exclusive patented technologies resulting from many years of research within international universities and partners.