Researchers at the University of Melbourne have developed a new 3D bioprinting system that can produce structures that faithfully reproduce human tissue such as soft brain matter or firmer cartilage and bone. The technology is intended to help drug research in particular by making organ and tissue models more precise and available more quickly.
The system uses acoustic waves generated by a vibrating bubble to precisely position cells within the printed structures. Associate Professor David Collins, Head of the Collins BioMicrosystems Laboratory, explains: “The correct positioning of cells is critical as it directly affects tissue function. Our method gives the cells an important head start to develop into complex tissues.”
Conventional bioprinters rely on a layer-by-layer approach, which takes hours and jeopardizes cell survival. The process also requires manual transfer of the printed structures into lab plates, which can damage the tissue.
The team at the University of Melbourne has optimized this process by using a rapid, optically-assisted printing approach. The system produces cell structures using vibrating bubbles within a few seconds, which is around 350 times faster than conventional methods. At the same time, it prints the structures directly into standard laboratory plates, eliminating the need for manual transfer and ensuring sterility.
According to PhD student and lead author Callum Vidler, the technology is already attracting a lot of interest from the research community. “Bioprinting has huge potential, but previous applications have often been limited. Our solution offers significant improvements in speed, precision and reliability,” says Vidler. Researchers from institutions such as the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Harvard Medical School have tested the method and given positive feedback.
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