The Canadian start-up Aspect Biosystems, founded by a group of researchers from the University of British Columbia, has developed a 3D bioprinting technology to create human tissue.
Their patent-pending method is capable of rapidly creating complex human tissues on demand. Living cells are placed in a liquid hydrogel, which is then used by the bioprinter to create specific shapes. During cultivation in a incubator, the living cellular material develops into tissue with biological functions. The company aims to provide pharmaceutical companies and researchers with 3D human tissue that can be used for drug testing, eliminating the need for animals.
“Aspect Biosystems’ technology has the potential to drive a fundamental shift in the pharmaceutical industry by enabling the development of completely new therapeutics for diseases that they are not able to adequately address currently, as well as test or re-test drugs they may have discounted in the past due to a lack of appropriate models.”
In a probably more distant future Aspect Biosystems plans to create human tissues for medical applications and organ transplantations as well as for the development of safe cosmetics and personal care products.
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