Experts of the NTI “Bionic Engineering in Medicine” Competence Center on the basis of Samara State Medical University, together with university scientists, created and proved the biocompatibility of biogels for 3D printing of bone and joint tissues with human tissues. This was reported to socialbites.ca at NTI.
Usually, bioimplants are solid, but scientists have managed to make a gel version, preserving the complex of proteins and signaling molecules that regulate the regeneration processes of bone and articular cartilage tissues. This is necessary to create a bio-ink for 3D printing of individual implants.
“We examined the effect of the innovative hydrogels on living cells and found that they have no toxic effect. Our hydrogels are fully compatible with living human cells and promote their fixation, growth and maturation. This effect is the result of the unique allogeneic (from human-derived tissues) bioimplants produced using the original Lioplast technology as a means to form hydrogels. We also changed the transformation technology and got a pure gel product without impurities, Professor Larisa Volova, head of the research institute, told socialbites.ca.
Now scientists plan to create bioink, a more advanced and sophisticated material for 3D printing of tissue biosimilars. For this, living cells belonging to the patient are added to the hydrogel. Such cell-tissue structures are fully compatible with the body, are characterized by better grafting and restore not only the structure, but also the function of the damaged tissue or organ.
The use of 3D bioprinting technology will make it possible to create individual designs from bioink.