3D printing has proven to be a versatile tool across industries as diverse as engineering, medicine, and pharmaceuticals. But did you know it’s also making an impact in the field of assisted reproduction? In this area, the technology opens up new possibilities by enabling the creation of complex biological environments that mimic natural fertilization processes. This is where Gameet comes in, an Argentine company that uses 3D printing with specialized resins to develop microdevices designed to optimize the selection and fertilization of gametes (reproductive cells). To learn more about this unique application, we spoke with Alejandro Guidobaldi, PhD in Biological Sciences, and CSO and CTO of the young company. In this interview, he shares the technical challenges behind their invention, the progress achieved in animal models, and his vision of how 3D printing could become a key ally for the reproductive biology of the future. Don’t miss it!
3DN: Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your connection to 3D printing?
My name is Alejandro Guidobaldi. I hold a PhD in Biological Sciences, and I am the Director of the Center for Cell and Molecular Biology, as well as a Full Professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, both at the Faculty of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences of the National University of Córdoba. I am also an Assistant Researcher at CONICET. Clearly, I come from a biological background that might seem far removed from 3D printing, but I became involved with it out of both necessity and curiosity. Throughout my scientific career, I have always enjoyed developing technologies that make my laboratory work easier and more efficient, as well as creating new techniques and processes. In that sense, 3D printing has allowed me to bring ideas to life in the form of supports and accessories that complement biological research and can be tailored to specific experimental needs.
The Gameet team. From left to right: Fernando Cardiello (CBDO), Maximiliano Tourmente (CEO), and Alejandro Guidobaldi (CSO/CTO).
3DN: What is Gameet, and how did the idea to create the company come about?
Gameet is a clear example of what I mentioned earlier. It is a company dedicated to manufacturing devices for assisted reproduction treatments using 3D printing. The idea arose from our desire to bring more than two decades of scientific knowledge generation to society. Over this time, we have learned a great deal about the sperm selection processes that optimize fertilization in mammals. This is a complex process involving specific spatial architecture, as well as mechanical and chemical interactions between the gametes and the reproductive tract. 3D printing opened up the possibility for us to recreate this environment in a way that allows certain natural processes, refined over millions of years of evolution, to take place. These processes are often overlooked or under-optimized in current assisted reproduction procedures.
3DN: Could you tell us more about the 3D microdevice you’ve developed?
Our devices are based on the lab-on-a-chip concept, or in this case, lab-on-a-device, since they are slightly larger. Current assisted fertilization treatments involve multiple processes performed separately, requiring several workstations and operators. Our device not only incorporates the optimized natural processes but also replaces all those procedures within a single, complex yet small device that fits in the palm of a hand and requires minimal user intervention. This way, we reduce gamete handling and provide an environment optimized for the natural processes to take place.
3DN: What challenges does printing the microdevice present, and how do you overcome them?
Our device faces two main challenges: the resolution of 3D printing and the biocompatibility of the resins. Since fertilization naturally occurs in the oviduct, we need to recreate tubular structures with complex internal features. 3D resin printing provides excellent resolution for surface details, but channel-like structures at the limits of resolution are very challenging. In these cases, understanding the printer’s limitations, knowing the behavior of the resins, and adjusting orientation can help solve some problems, but not all. This often requires rethinking the structures so that they are not exact morphological copies but still replicate the necessary functionality.
Biocompatibility is another major issue. Gametes are far more sensitive than the somatic cells typically used for cytotoxicity testing under ISO certifications. They require materials to pass embryotoxicity and HSSA (sperm viability) tests, which are much more stringent. Generally, even FDA-approved resins are not suitable for this type of device. The alternative is to print the base structure and then apply a plastic coating system that is biocompatible with gametes to eliminate toxicity.
Gameet’s 3D devices are inspired by lab-on-a-chip technology.
3DN: What are Gameet’s plans for the future?
We are just finishing the development of our first biocompatible device and conducting the initial successful fertilization tests in cattle. Our goal is to achieve validation in the animal model, along with all biocompatibility tests, so we can move forward with clinical trials in patients. This device is only the MVP from which we plan to develop a suite of products for the field of assisted reproduction, all supported by 3D printing.
3DN: Any final words for our readers?
I just want to share something that, to me, feels like a scene from Star Trek, where they could instantly synthesize anything from food to tools just by asking a machine and materializing it. Today, we have the ability to think or imagine something and turn it into a tangible object in minutes or hours, which is what fascinates me about 3D printing. I still remember my first print; seeing an idea take shape was simply amazing. This is a technology that should be part of the basic education of future generations. You can learn more about the startup HERE.
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*All Photo Credits: Gameet