Descrizione del progetto
La biostampa 3D potrebbe presto essere incentivata grazie a un «inchiostro» standardizzato conservabile
Circa 40 anni fa fu lanciato sul mercato un dispositivo rivoluzionario per la creazione di complesse strutture tridimensionali a forma libera. La stampa 3D ha dato vita alla produzione additiva, impiegata per realizzare prototipi in modo rapido aggiungendo strati sequenziali di materiali a un substrato sulla base di file CAD. I bioingegneri interessati a produrre complessi tessuti e organi in 3D hanno preso la palla al balzo; tuttavia, ricreare un sistema vascolare a sostegno della vita si è dimostrato un compito impegnativo. SE3DPASTE sta sviluppando un processo per la creazione di bagni (gel) specifici per tessuto standardizzati, portatili e conservabili da integrare per la biostampa, configurati in modo da guidare la formazione del sistema vascolare in 3D. In caso di successo, i tessuti stampati in 3D «pronti per l’uso» potrebbero presto diventare la norma.
Obiettivo
Engineering tissues with a hierarchical vascular network, which is the goal of our ERC project VascArbor, is challenging. Developments in the field of biofabrication, including 3D bioprinting, are promising to cope with this challenge. However, current strategies lack the capacity to create hierarchical, high resolution, cost efficient, upscalable constructs in a standardized manner with a single approach.
Embedded bioprinting, allowing the deposition of complex constructs without the need of a supporting substrate, provides a potential solution. However, embedding baths used so far consist of inert materials and therefore cannot become a functional component of the tissue. Also, the embedding bath should be patternable to allow for multistructural tissues, but printing of the bath itself is currently challenging due to clogging of the nozzle.
SE3DPASTE will develop a dehydrated precursor of a free standing embedding bath that is storable for “off-the-shelf” use and tissue specific. Additionally, SE3DPASTE will develop a bespoke 3D printing nozzle that will allow for the creation of patterned embedding baths. SE3DPASTE will lead to storable, transportable, tissue specific embedding baths that act as a patterning template and can be used for embedded bioprinting of tissue. This combination of features, which does currently not exist in embedding baths for 3D printing, will be a key enabler for the generation of standardized 3D tissue environments that lead to predictable tissue development for research-, clinical-, or drug screening purposes.
SE3DPASTE will not only develop the technology to make this possible, but will also take vital steps to bring this technology to the market. By securing the IP, and analyzing the market and the willingness of investors to support SE3DPASTE technology, a fruitful basis for translation will be formed. Finally, this will lead to a business plan providing a roadmap on the necessary future steps to create a market ready product.
Campo scientifico
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-POC-LS - ERC Proof of Concept Lump Sum PilotIstituzione ospitante
7522 NB Enschede
Paesi Bassi