{"id":14198,"date":"2021-08-19T15:08:31","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T14:08:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=14198"},"modified":"2021-08-19T15:08:31","modified_gmt":"2021-08-19T14:08:31","slug":"reshaping-the-landscape-of-3d-bioprinting-replacement-soft-body-tissues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/reshaping-the-landscape-of-3d-bioprinting-replacement-soft-body-tissues\/14198\/","title":{"rendered":"Reshaping the landscape of 3D bioprinting replacement soft body tissues"},"content":{"rendered":"

International Editor Clifford Holt spoke to the University of Huddersfield\u2019s<\/a> Professor Alan Smith about a newly-developed method of using gel particles as a suspending media for 3D bioprinting replacement soft body tissues.<\/h2>\n

Using 3D bioprinters to produce replacement human tissue is one of the most exciting developments in medical science, but it is not without its challenges, not least when attempting to use bioprinters to replicate the softer tissue layers due to the fact that the polymers typically used have an exceptionally low viscosity when they are in a liquid state.<\/p>\n

In an attempt to overcome such challenges, Professor Alan Smith, Director of The Biopolymer Research Centre at the University of Huddersfield, and his fellow researchers have made a breakthrough that could expand the scope and use of the technology.<\/p>\n

The Innovation Platform\u2019s<\/em> International Editor, Clifford Holt, spoke to Professor Smith about their newly-developed method of using gel particles as a suspending media and its potential applications in 3D bioprinting.<\/p>\n

Could you begin by outlining what you feel have been the biggest advances in recent years with regards to 3D bioprinting? And what have the major limitations been when it comes to replicating the softer layers found in human tissue?<\/h3>\n

There have been some fantastic advances in 3D bioprinting recently in terms of both the printing technology and the complexity of tissues being bioprinted. For example, breakthroughs in printing technologies have facilitated the development and installation of a 3D bioprinting facility on board the International Space Station. Back on Earth, there has also been some exciting proof of concept studies where researchers have bioprinted a range of quite complex tissue types. Particular highlights include parts of the cornea, functional ovarian follicles, and even bioprinting vascularised tissues such as heart and lungs have seen some recent progress, although these complex tissues are still some way off being ready for human clinical trials.<\/p>\n

One of the major limitations at the moment in 3D bioprinting soft tissue structures is the lack of available \u2018bioinks\u2019 that are suitable for the bioprinting process. Generally, a bioink needs to have all of the following properties:<\/p>\n