New Bioprinting Technique Prints Tissue 10 Times Faster

In the medical field, in addition to applications such as the creation of prostheses or the optimization of surgical procedures, 3D printing is also opening up new perspectives for research. For example, it can be used to design replicas of human tissues, opening up new opportunities in the field of healthcare such as the manufacture of organs for transplantation, the study of diseases and the development of new treatments. However, despite advances, this field remains hampered by current technologies which are incapable of producing dense tissue on a large scale.
Faced with this challenge, researchers at Penn State University in Pennsylvania have developed a bioprinting method based on the use of cellular spheroids (groups of cells). This approach makes it possible to manufacture complex tissues with precision and speed, reaching speeds ten times faster than traditional techniques. According to the team, this breakthrough represents a decisive step towards the creation of functional tissues and organs, opening up new possibilities for regenerative medicine.
A Breakthrough in Bioprinting Towards Faster, More Viable Tissues
Bioprinting offers scientists the possibility to create 3D structures using living cells combined with various biomaterials. The cells multiply and grow to form 3D tissue in a matter of weeks. “This technique is a significant advancement in rapid bioprinting of spheroids,” explains Ibrahim T. Ozbolat, professor at Penn State University. He adds that this technique enables tissue to be produced more quickly and efficiently than current methods, while maintaining high cell viability.
Cell density is important for creating functional tissue. Spheroids therefore offer an interesting alternative, as their cell density approaches that of human tissue. But although 3D printing of spheroids seems an effective solution for achieving this density, the researchers encountered difficulties. Current techniques often damage the cells during printing, reducing their viability.
To address this problem, the team developed a new method called HITS-Bio (High-throughput Integrated Tissue Fabrication System for Bioprinting). This system uses an array of nozzles to manipulate several spheroids simultaneously. By arranging the nozzles in a 4×4 grid, the team can pick up 16 spheroids and deposit them on a biological ink substrate with speed and precision. Ozbolat explains, “It’s 10-times faster than existing techniques and maintains more than 90% high cell viability.”
To test their technology, the team chose to produce cartilage tissue. They produced a small, one-cubic-centimeter structure made up of 600 cellular spheroids capable of transforming into cartilage. The process took less than 40 minutes, far less than traditional bioprinting methods. You can learn more in the full research paper HERE.
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*All Photo Credits: Penn State University