Projektbeschreibung
Eine 3D-Biodruck-Plattform mit auswechselbaren Druckköpfen
Der 3D-Biodruck gilt als Technologie mit dem größten Potenzial, Gewebesurrogate zu entwickeln. Die wichtigsten Elemente beim 3D-Biodruck sind der Druckkopf und die Biotinte, die sich aus lebenden Zellen und extrazellulären Komponenten zusammensetzt. Der 3D-Druckkopf steuert die Auftragung der Biotinte. Diese Elemente sind untrennbar miteinander verbunden. Daher steht ein erfolgreicher Biodruck von funktionsfähigen Gewebesurrogaten direkt mit den Möglichkeiten eines 3D-Druckers in Zusammenhang. Dieser unterstützt nämlich die Eigenschaften der Biotinte, die explizit für das entsprechende Kompartiment eines bestimmten Gewebes entworfen wurde. Das EU-finanzierte Projekt BioPrint4All möchte die Machbarkeit einer bedarfsgerechten 3D-Druckplattform, die mehrere Druckköpfe mit verschiedenen Funktionen kombinieren kann, prüfen und nachweisen.
Ziel
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has been projected as one of the technologies with higher prospects to engineer tissue surrogates, which are i) an unquestionable demand for regenerative medicine and ii) an acknowledged upgrade of 2D in vitro cultures as reliable and predictive testing/screening systems for pharma and cosmetic industries. Despite the important milestones achieved so far, bioprinting functional tissues surrogates has proved difficult. The biggest challenge still is the fabrication of complex (different cell types and extracellular components) structures that work, as a whole, as in the native tissue, thus being physiologically relevant.
The key 3D bioprinting elements are the printer – more specifically the printing head – and the bioinks (live cells plus extracellular components). As the print head controls the deposition of the bioink, one cannot be dissociated from the other. Thus, the successful 3D bioprinting of functional tissue surrogates is directly linked to the possibility to have a 3D printer that supports the characteristics of each bioink designed explicitly for each compartment of a specific tissue. Therefore, a new mind-set in which an integrated development of the print heads (guaranteeing processability and cell-friendly conditions) and the bioinks (ideal combination of biomaterial and cell designed explicitly for each compartment of a specific tissue) is required.
This project proposes to prove the feasibility of having an on-demand 3D printing platform that can combine multiple print heads with different features, virtually at any combination. This strategy will foster reaching significant milestones in a shorter time and expectably at lower costs due to more straightforward and highly innovative scientifically-driven approaches.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
Programm/Programme
Thema/Themen
Finanzierungsplan
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept GrantGastgebende Einrichtung
4704 553 Braga
Portugal