Researchers from the NTI Bionic Engineering in Medicine Competence Center at Samara State Medical University, together with university colleagues, have developed and demonstrated the biocompatibility of gel-based biogels designed for 3D printing of bone and joint tissues using human-derived materials. This advancement was shared with socialbites.ca at NTI.
Traditionally, bioimplants are solid structures. The team has shown that a gel form can preserve the complex mix of proteins and signaling molecules essential for guiding the regeneration of bone and articular cartilage. This gel acts as a bio-ink, enabling the fabrication of personalized implants through 3D printing.
According to Prof. Larisa Volova, head of the research institute, the innovative hydrogels were tested for compatibility with living cells and exhibited no toxic effects. The hydrogels are fully compatible with human cells, supporting their adhesion, growth, and maturation. These outcomes arise from the unique allogeneic biokollective implants produced with Lioplast technology to form hydrogels, and from refinements that yielded a pure gel product free of impurities. Volova emphasized that the work marks a meaningful step toward safe, cell-friendly materials for tissue engineering.
Looking ahead, the researchers aim to develop a more advanced bioink, an enhanced material for printing tissue biosimilars. In this future version, cells taken from the patient would be incorporated into the hydrogel. Such patient-specific cell-tissue structures would be highly compatible with the body, show better graft integration, and have the potential to restore both the structure and the function of damaged tissue or an organ.
Ultimately, the adoption of 3D bioprinting technology could allow clinicians to design individualized bioink-based constructs, enabling precise replication of native tissue architecture and function in regenerating bone and cartilage. This progression aligns with ongoing efforts to translate lab discoveries into practical medical solutions, with potential implications for personalized regenerative therapies and improved outcomes in orthopedic and joint care. Researchers are pursuing scalable manufacturing approaches, regulatory considerations, and long-term biocompatibility assessments to pave the way for clinical applications in Canada and the United States. [citation Needed]