Cell growth in a microstructure Cells spreading in a 3D scaffold - from left to right: week 1, week 3 week 5. Top: 3D setup, bottom: one layer only. Cells spreading in a 3D scaffold - from left to right: week 1, week 3 week 5. Top: 3D setup, bottom: one layer only.
With a new process developed at TU Wien (Vienna), living cells can be integrated into fine structures created in a 3D printer - extremely fast and with very high resolution. Tissue growth and the behavior of cells can be controlled and investigated particularly well by embedding the cells in a delicate 3D framework. This is achieved using additive 3D printing methods - so called "bioprinting" techniques. However, this involves a number of challenges: Some methods are very imprecise or only allow a very short time window in which the cells can be processed without being damaged. In addition, the materials used must be cell-friendly during and after the 3D biopriting process. This restricts the variety of possible materials. A high-resolution bioprinting process with completely new materials has now been developed at TU Wien (Vienna): Thanks to a special "bio ink" for the 3D printer, cells can now be embedded in a 3D matrix printed with micrometer precision - at a printing speed of one meter per second, orders of magnitude faster than previously possible.
TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.
