In the future, artificial tissue can heal injuries using the body’s own cells. Researchers from the Technical University (TU) Vienna have developed a new approach to produce them using a 3D printer. They print small football-like cages of biocompatible material, which can be easily and densely populated with cells and grow independently into larger units. They have now presented their method in the journal Acta Biomaterialia.
There are currently several approaches to artificially producing tissue: you can grow small cell agglomerates and then put them together in the desired shape so that they grow together. The cell density reaches the required high values from the start. But it can happen that the cell spheres change in size or shape and the tissue acquires different properties than desired.
In another method, a fine, porous framework (“scaffold”) is first produced from biocompatible materials, which is then filled with cells. The advantage is that you can precisely define the mechanical properties of the framework, for example whether it is soft or hard. However, it is difficult to quickly and completely fill the structure with cells. Especially when the scaffold is larger, it takes a long time for the cells to migrate inwards and the cell density often remains low and uneven.
Combine the advantages of both methods
A team led by Aleksandr Ovsianikov from the Institute for Materials Science and Technology at the Technical University of Vienna has now developed a method that combines the advantages of these two variants. Ovsianikov received a very endowed “Consolidator Grant” from the European Research Council (ERC) for this purpose in 2017.
The researchers produce small scaffolds using an extremely high-resolution, laser-based 3D printing technique. These are shaped like footballs, with a diameter of less than a third of a millimeter. The individual pentagons and hexagons are formed by struts with a thickness of about 0.035 millimeters. They will be printed on a commercially available, biocompatible, biodegradable polyester-based material, explains Oliver Kopinski-Grünwald, co-author of the work.
The shape and mechanical properties of the micro scaffolding can be flexibly adjusted. And they can absorb thousands of cells very quickly, quickly achieving a high cell density. In addition, the structure protects the cells from external mechanical damage.
Large fabric constructions in a short time
The researchers also showed that the “cell footballs” grow together and form a common tissue. “If many of these units are brought together, large tissue constructs with a high starting cell density can be produced in a short time. Nevertheless, we are able to control the mechanical properties of the structure well,” says Kopinski-Grünwald. The structure keeps its shape. In the future, the scientists hope to be able to make these tissue units based on micro-scaffolds injectable for use in minimally invasive surgery, for example as a cartilage or bone replacement.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
