Articles tagged with "tissue-engineering"
China makes womb on a chip to shed light on first days of pregnancy
Chinese scientists have developed a "womb on a chip," a three-dimensional microfluidic model that replicates the human uterine lining (endometrium) to study embryo implantation, a critical and previously hard-to-study stage of early pregnancy. This chip-based system uses human endometrial cells embedded in gel-like layers to form tissue that closely mimics the natural uterine environment. The model supports the full implantation process, including embryo attachment and invasion, by introducing either real human blastocysts or lab-made blastoids derived from stem cells. This advancement overcomes ethical and practical limitations of studying early human pregnancy and offers a more accurate and detailed platform than previous two-dimensional cultures. The researchers demonstrated that embryos implanted successfully within the chip, recapitulating key stages such as apposition, attachment, and invasion, as well as early post-implantation development. Importantly, when using cells from women with recurrent implantation failure (repeated IVF failures), the embryos showed significantly reduced implantation success, reflecting
microfluidic-chiporgan-on-a-chipbiomedical-engineeringhuman-embryo-implantationIVF-researchtissue-engineeringlab-on-a-chipHuman fat emerges as a surprising building block for organoid creation
Researchers in China have developed a novel method to create functional organoids from adult human adipose (fat) tissue without the need for isolating stem cells or genetic modification. By processing intact microfat tissue into small pellets and culturing them in suspension, the cells self-organize into organoids that mimic key features of bone marrow, pancreatic islets, and neural tissue. This technique, termed reaggregated microfat (RMF), preserves the natural cellular diversity and microenvironment of fat tissue, enabling differentiation into organoids representing all three germ layers—mesoderm, endoderm, and ectoderm—thus potentially allowing a single tissue source to generate diverse organ types. Significantly, the bone marrow organoids formed via RMF demonstrated functional hematopoiesis when implanted into immunodeficient mice, supporting human blood stem cell engraftment and differentiation. Similarly, pancreatic islet organoids produced insulin in response to glucose and restored normal blood sugar levels in diabetic mice. Neural organ
materialsorganoidshuman-adipose-tissuetissue-engineeringregenerative-medicinestem-cell-alternativesbiomedical-researchNew 'necroprinting' enables 3D printing smaller than blood cells
Researchers from McGill University and Drexel University have developed a novel 3D printing technique called “3D necroprinting” that repurposes female mosquito feeding tubes (proboscides) as ultra-high-resolution printing nozzles. These biological nozzles enable printing with line widths as small as 20 microns—finer than the size of a white blood cell—surpassing the resolution limits of conventional metal or glass nozzles. The mosquito proboscis’s natural geometry, evolved for efficient fluid transport and minimal clogging, allows precise material deposition with reduced pressure buildup, making it ideal for micro-scale manufacturing applications, particularly in biomedicine. The team harvested proboscides from ethically sourced mosquitoes and integrated them into custom 3D printers by attaching the feeding tubes to standard dispenser tips. Testing demonstrated the ability to print intricate microstructures such as honeycomb patterns, maple leaf designs, and bioscaffolds capable of encapsulating living cells without damage. The biodegradable nature of
materials3D-printingmicro-scale-manufacturingbiomedical-applicationsbiodegradable-nozzlestissue-engineeringmicrodispensingMicroneedle heart patch aims to improve post-attack recovery
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a biodegradable microneedle patch designed to improve recovery of heart muscle damaged by heart attacks. The patch delivers interleukin-4 (IL-4) directly into the injured heart tissue through tiny needles that penetrate the heart’s outer layer, enabling targeted drug delivery that reduces scarring and inflammation without the systemic side effects seen in previous methods. IL-4 shifts macrophages—immune cells central to the healing process—from promoting inflammation to supporting tissue repair, thereby helping the heart muscle recover more effectively. Early experiments demonstrated that the patch not only decreased inflammatory signals and scar tissue formation but also enhanced communication between heart muscle cells and endothelial cells lining blood vessels, which may support long-term heart function. Additionally, the patch increased activity in the NPR1 pathway, known to promote blood vessel health and reduce harmful inflammation. While the current version requires open-chest surgery, the researchers aim to refine the design for less invasive delivery, potentially via catheter. The study, published in
materialsbiomedical-engineeringdrug-deliverymicroneedle-patchheart-repairtissue-engineeringbiodegradable-materialsScientists 3D print human muscle tissue in zero gravity environment
Researchers at ETH Zurich, led by Dr. Parth Chansoria, have successfully 3D printed human muscle tissue in microgravity conditions simulated via parabolic flights. This breakthrough addresses a major challenge in bioprinting on Earth, where gravity causes bio-inks—mixtures of living cells and carrier substances—to collapse or deform before solidifying, resulting in less accurate tissue structures. In weightlessness, the printed muscle fibers maintain their natural alignment and cell distribution, closely replicating human muscle tissue. This precision is critical for creating reliable tissue models for drug testing and disease study. To achieve this, the team developed a novel bioprinting system called G-FLight (Gravity-independent Filamented Light), capable of producing viable muscle constructs within seconds during short microgravity phases. The muscle samples printed in these conditions showed comparable cell viability and fiber density to those printed under normal gravity, with the added advantage of enabling long-term storage of cell-loaded bio-resins—an important factor for future space
materials3D-printingbioprintingmicrogravitytissue-engineeringbio-inkspace-technologyScientists grow 3D human brains for personalized medicine study
MIT scientists have developed a novel 3D human brain tissue model called Multicellular Integrated Brains (miBrains), which replicates the brain’s full cellular complexity for personalized medicine research. Smaller than a dime, each miBrain integrates the six major brain cell types—including neurons, glial cells, and vascular structures—into a living model that self-organizes into functional units such as blood vessels and a working blood-brain barrier. Derived from patient-specific stem cells, miBrains enable researchers to create personalized brain models reflecting individual genetic backgrounds, offering a more accurate and scalable alternative to traditional cell cultures and animal models. The development of miBrains involved engineering a hydrogel-based “neuromatrix” that mimics the brain’s natural environment and supports cell growth and function. This modular platform allows precise control over cellular composition and genetic editing, facilitating detailed studies of neurological diseases and drug responses. In initial experiments, the researchers used miBrains to investigate the APOE4 gene variant, a major genetic risk factor
materials3D-bioprintingtissue-engineeringpersonalized-medicinebrain-modelshydrogelbiomedical-researchMini 3D printer could enable on-site tissue repair inside human body
Researchers at the University of Stuttgart, led by Andrea Toulouse, have developed a miniaturized 3D printer capable of creating living tissue directly inside the human body. This innovative device uses a glass optical fiber thinner than a pencil lead, equipped with a tiny 3D-printed lens no larger than a grain of salt, to focus laser light and cure bio-inks layer by layer with micrometer precision. This approach aims to overcome the limitations of traditional bioprinting, which requires implanting pre-grown tissues and relies on large, less precise printers unsuitable for in-body use. The project, supported by a $2 million grant from the Carl Zeiss Foundation, combines photonics, biotechnology, and precision engineering to enable endoscopic 3D printing of complex tissue structures at the cellular scale. Collaborating with experts in biomaterials, the team is also developing biodegradable bio-inks compatible with living cells to ensure safe integration into the body. By integrating their research into the Bionic Intelligence Tüb
materials3D-printingbio-inksmicro-opticsregenerative-medicinetissue-engineeringphotonics3D printing creates human tissue with stretch and blood-like fluids
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have developed an advanced 3D printing technique that produces human tissue models with realistic mechanical properties and blood-like fluids, significantly improving the fidelity of surgical training tools. By controlling microscopic patterns within the printed material, the team achieved tissues that mimic the strength and stretchiness of real organs. Additionally, they incorporated sealed microcapsules containing blood-like liquids to enhance the models’ realism without compromising the printing process. Surgeons who tested these models rated them higher than conventional replicas in tactile feedback and cutting response, suggesting that such improvements could lead to safer and more effective surgical practice. The research team, including experts from mechanical and biomedical engineering and collaborators from the University of Washington, also developed a mathematical formula to predict tissue behavior under stress. While scaling the technology for widespread use will take time, the method shows strong potential for specialized, low-volume training scenarios. Future research aims to replicate various organ shapes and functions, develop bionic organs, and integrate materials responsive to advanced surgical tools
3D-printingbiomaterialssurgical-trainingtissue-engineeringmedical-devicessynthetic-organsbiomedical-engineering3D printed placenta models pave way for safer pregnancy drug testing
Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have achieved a world-first by 3D bioprinting miniature placentas, offering a novel and safer method to study early pregnancy complications. Traditional challenges in pregnancy research stem from the difficulty and risks of obtaining first-trimester placental tissue and the inadequacy of animal and cell models to replicate human placental function accurately. The UTS team combined trophoblast cells—unique to the placenta—with a synthetic gel, printing them in precise droplets to create organoids that closely mimic early human placental tissue. These bioprinted organoids developed differently from those grown in animal-derived gels, highlighting how the growth environment influences placental cell maturation. This advancement enables safer investigation into pregnancy disorders such as preeclampsia, a condition affecting 5–8% of pregnancies and linked to placental dysfunction. The researchers demonstrated the model’s utility by exposing the organoids to inflammatory molecules associated with preeclampsia and testing potential treatments,
materials3D-printingbioprintingorganoidsmedical-researchtissue-engineeringpregnancy-complicationsResearchers Create 3D-Printed Artificial Skin That Allows Blood Circulation
Swedish researchers have developed innovative 3D bioprinting techniques to create thick, vascularized artificial skin that could significantly improve treatment for severe burns and trauma. Traditional skin grafts transplant only the epidermis and fail to regenerate the dermis—the deeper skin layer containing blood vessels and nerves—resulting in scarring and loss of full skin function. The new methods aim to overcome this by producing skin that includes living cells and a network of blood vessels, essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to sustain tissue viability. The team led by Johan Junker at Linköping University created a bio-ink called “μInk,” which embeds fibroblasts (cells that generate dermal components like collagen) within a gel matrix, allowing 3D printing of dense, cell-rich skin structures. In mouse transplantation experiments, these constructs supported cell growth, collagen secretion, and new blood vessel formation, indicating potential for long-term tissue integration. Complementing this, the researchers developed the REFRESH technology, which uses
materials3D-printingbioprintingartificial-skintissue-engineeringbiomedical-materialsregenerative-medicineNew scaffold drives 185% increase in bone repair effectiveness
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new biodegradable scaffold implant, CitraBoneQMg, that significantly enhances bone regrowth, showing a 185% increase in effectiveness compared to traditional bone implants in rat studies. The scaffold combines magnesium and glutamine with citric acid, which together stimulate intracellular energy metabolism in stem cells, promoting their differentiation into bone cells. This synergy between the molecules activates key cellular energy pathways (AMPK and mTORC1) simultaneously, unlike previous materials where these pathways acted inversely, resulting in faster and stronger bone regeneration. Beyond accelerating bone repair, CitraBoneQMg also demonstrated additional healing benefits such as nerve regeneration and anti-inflammatory effects at the injury site, which are crucial for long-term recovery. The scaffold delivers these molecules directly to the injury, ensuring high local concentrations that oral supplements cannot achieve. Furthermore, the implant possesses photoluminescent and photoacoustic properties, enabling non-invasive in vivo tracking via ultrasound. The research team, collaborating with orthopedic surgeons,
materialsbiomaterialsbone-repairbiodegradable-scaffoldmagnesium-implantstissue-engineeringregenerative-medicine3D-printed scaffolds guide stem cells to repair spinal cord injury
A research team at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities has developed a novel approach to spinal cord injury repair by combining 3D printing, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine. They created a 3D-printed organoid scaffold containing microscopic channels filled with spinal neural progenitor cells (sNPCs) derived from human adult stem cells. These channels guide the growth of the stem cells, promoting the formation of new nerve fibers that can bypass damaged spinal cord areas. When implanted into rats with completely severed spinal cords, the scaffolds supported the development of neurons that extended nerve fibers in both directions, integrating with existing spinal tissue and leading to significant functional recovery. The study demonstrates that the scaffold not only enhances cell survival but also enables reconnection across severe spinal injuries, marking a promising advance in regenerative medicine for paralysis. The researchers plan to scale up and refine the technology for clinical trials, aiming to eventually restore mobility and independence in people with spinal cord injuries. This interdisciplinary project involved experts in neurosurgery
materials3D-printingregenerative-medicinestem-cellsspinal-cord-injurybiomedical-engineeringtissue-engineeringScientists mimic young tissue to reverse ageing in the heart
Researchers at the National University of Singapore, led by Assistant Professor Jennifer Young, have developed a novel lab-grown biomaterial called DECIPHER that mimics the heart’s extracellular matrix (ECM) to reverse ageing effects in heart tissue. Instead of targeting heart cells directly, the team focused on the ECM—a protein-rich scaffold that supports cells and regulates their behavior but stiffens and malfunctions with age, contributing to heart decline. DECIPHER combines natural heart tissue with a synthetic hydrogel, allowing independent control of the ECM’s stiffness and biochemical signals, which was previously difficult to achieve. Using DECIPHER, the researchers demonstrated that aged heart cells cultured on scaffolds replicating youthful biochemical cues exhibited rejuvenation, even when the scaffold remained stiff. Conversely, young heart cells exposed to aged ECM biochemical signals showed early dysfunction regardless of stiffness, highlighting that biochemical environment plays a more critical role than stiffness in aged cell decline. These findings suggest that restoring youthful biochemical signals in the ECM could reverse heart ageing, while controlling stiffness might
materialsbiomaterialstissue-engineeringextracellular-matrixhydrogelheart-regenerationanti-aging-researchUS Army creates 3D-printed skin to heal combat wounds, fight bugs
materialsbioprintingbiomaterialsbiomedical-technologies3D-printingmilitary-technologytissue-engineering