Biomedical engineers at the University of Melbourne have created a 3D bioprinting system capable of fabricating structures that closely resemble the diverse tissues found in the human body, from soft brain tissue to harder materials like cartilage and bone. This innovative technology offers cancer researchers an advanced tool for replicating specific organs and tissues, improving the potential for developing new pharmaceutical therapies and reducing the need for animal testing. Associate Professor David Collins, head of the Collins BioMicrosystems Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, explains that their approach allows for cell positioning within printed tissues, a key factor in accurately representing human tissue structures.
Most existing 3D bioprinters use a slow layer-by-layer fabrication approach, which can take hours and risk cell viability during the printing process. The University of Melbourne research team has developed a new optical-based system that uses acoustic waves generated by vibrating bubbles to position cells within 3D printed structures in seconds. This method is around 350 times faster than traditional methods and enables researchers to replicate human tissues with cellular resolution, significantly increasing cell survival rates and eliminating the need for delicate handling during transfer to standard lab plates.
PhD student Callum Vidler, the lead author on the research, highlights the excitement the groundbreaking technology has generated in the medical research sector. By addressing the limitations of current bioprinting applications, such as low output and slow processing times, the team’s technology offers advancements in speed, precision, and consistency. This technology establishes a crucial link between lab research and clinical applications, with positive feedback from researchers at institutions like the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Harvard Medical School, and the Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre.
The University of Melbourne’s bioprinting system represents a significant advancement in the field, with the ability to position cells within printed tissues and replicate complex human tissue structures with high precision and speed. The technology not only improves the efficiency of drug discovery and development by providing more accurate tissue models but also reduces the reliance on animal testing. By enhancing cell survival rates and eliminating the need for delicate handling during printing, researchers can now create cellular structures that remain intact and sterile throughout the process.
The research team’s innovative approach to bioprinting offers a solution to the challenges faced by traditional layer-by-layer fabrication methods, providing a faster, more efficient, and more precise alternative. This technology opens up new possibilities for cancer research and drug development, enabling researchers to create accurate tissue models that can be used to test the efficacy of pharmaceutical therapies. The positive feedback from leading institutions in the medical research sector indicates the potential impact of this technology on advancing scientific and medical research.
Overall, the University of Melbourne’s bioprinting system represents a significant breakthrough in 3D printing technology, offering researchers a more efficient, precise, and reliable method for replicating human tissues. By addressing the limitations of current bioprinting methods, this technology has the potential to revolutionize drug discovery and development, reduce the reliance on animal testing, and bridge the gap between lab research and clinical applications. With its ability to position cells within printed tissues and replicate complex human tissue structures with high resolution, this technology has the potential to transform the field of biomedical engineering and contribute to advancements in medical research and treatment.