New 4D bioprinting lets tissues change shape and grow stronger, bringing science closer to real, working lab-grown organs.
Category: bioprinting
A new bioprinter uses ultrasound to non-invasively 3D print tissues, biosensors, and medication depots deep in the body.
Researchers headed by a team at the California Institute of Technology developed an ultrasound-guided 3D printing technique that could make it possible to fabricate medical implants in vivo and deliver tailored therapies to tissues deep inside the body—all without invasive surgery. The researchers say the imaging-guided deep tissue in vivo sound printing (DISP) platform utilizes low-temperature–sensitive liposomes (LTSLs) as carriers for cross-linking agents, enabling precise, controlled in situ fabrication of biomaterials within deep tissues.
Reporting on their development in Science “Imaging-guided deep tissue in vivo sound printing”, first author Elham Davoodi, PhD, and senior, corresponding author Wei Gao, PhD, described proof of concept studies demonstrating in vivo printing within the bladders and muscles of mice, and rabbits, respectively. Gas vesicle (GV)–based ultrasound imaging integrated into the printing platform enabled real-time monitoring of the printing process and precise positioning. In their paper, the authors concluded, “DISP’s ability to print conductive, drug-loaded, cell-laden, and bioadhesive biomaterials demonstrates its versatility for diverse biomedical applications.”
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technologies offer significant promise to modern medicine by enabling the creation of customized implants, intricate medical devices, and engineered tissues, tailored to individual patients, the authors wrote. “However, the implantation of these constructs often requires invasive surgeries, limiting their utility for minimally invasive treatments.”
Carnegie Mellon researchers have used FRESH 3D bioprinting to create the first collagen-based microphysiologic systems, offering new hope for Type 1 diabetes treatment. Collagen is widely recognized for its role in maintaining healthy skin, but its importance extends far beyond that. As the most
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have created a groundbreaking tissue engineering platform using 3D-printed collagen scaffolds called CHIPS.
By mimicking natural cellular environments, they enable cells to grow, interact, and form functional tissues — a major step beyond traditional silicone-based microfluidic models. The platform not only models diseases like diabetes but could also replace animal testing in the future. Plus, their designs are freely available to fuel broader scientific innovation.
3D bioprinting: turning science fiction into science reality.
Here are five recent innovative bioprinting and bioink studies that are building synthetic biological structures.
3D printing is revolutionizing microbial electrochemical systems (MES) by enabling precise reactor design, custom electrode fabrication, and enhanced bioprinting applications. These innovations optimize pollutant degradation and energy production, with significant implications for sustainability and environmental management.
Microbial electrochemical systems (MES) are emerging as a promising technology for addressing environmental challenges by leveraging microorganisms to transfer electrons. These systems can simultaneously degrade pollutants and generate electricity, making them valuable for sustainable wastewater treatment and energy production.
However, conventional methods for constructing MES components often lack design flexibility, limiting performance optimization. To overcome these limitations and enhance MES efficiency, innovative fabrication techniques are needed—ones that allow precise control over reactor structures and functions.
Biomedical engineers at the University of Melbourne have developed a 3D bioprinting system capable of creating structures that closely replicate various human tissues, ranging from soft brain tissue to more rigid materials like cartilage and bone.
This innovative technology provides cancer researchers with a powerful tool for replicating specific organs and tissues, enhancing their ability to predict drug responses and develop new treatments. By offering a more accurate and ethical approach to drug discovery, it also has the potential to reduce reliance on animal testing.
Head of the Collins BioMicrosystems Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, Associate Professor David Collins said: In addition to drastically improving print speed, our approach enables a degree of cell positioning within printed tissues. Incorrect cell positioning is a big reason most 3D bioprinters fail to produce structures that accurately represent human tissue.
A workshop led by scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory sketched a road map toward a longtime goal: development of autonomous, or self-driving, next-generation research laboratories.
Download the report of the “Shaping the Future of Self-Driving Autonomous Laboratories” workshop.
Scientists have dreamed for generations of high-tech laboratories operated via robotics at the push of a button. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence bring those dreams closer to reality than ever before, said Rafael Ferreira da Silva, an ORNL senior research scientist and lead author of the workshop’s report.
Growing organs in the Lab — Find out how scientists are making human organs in the lab from stem cells. While we can’t grow fully functional human organs yet, they can grow organoids from stem cells to study organ development and 3D bioprint tissues that can one day be used to repair organs.
👉 You may also like: The Basic Principles of a Cell, https://youtu.be/R5z0VYBnZPs.
📖 This video is also a blog post with images and a PDF Summary visit: https://www.clevalab.com/post/growingorgans.
Visit the ClevaLab Channel Page for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/@ClevaLab.
✉️ Sign up to the email list to be notified of new videos: https://www.clevalab.com/email-subscription.