Month: June 2023

Bioprinting, the process of printing living cells into functional tissues, presents a complex set of challenges. In a remarkable achievement, the Levato lab of UMC Utrecht, in collaboration with colleagues, has successfully combined two promising printing techniques to enhance cell density, cell survival, and specialization in bioprinted constructs. The key lies in the utilization of granular biogels or resins, as described in their publication in the journal Advanced Materials.

While bioprinting holds promise for creating functional tissues using stem cells, the integration of this intricate technology with delicate cells poses significant challenges. To ensure cell survival and tissue functionality, printed cells must receive optimal conditions for growth, mobility, and intercellular communication.

In a significant breakthrough, researchers have successfully combined volumetric bioprinting with melt electrowriting for the first time, as revealed in a study published in Advanced Materials. Led by the biofabrication lab of Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht (RMCU), this innovative approach merges the speed and cell-friendly nature of volumetric printing with the structural strength required for the creation of functional blood vessels.

Volumetric printing, a technique pioneered by the RMCU biofabrication lab in 2019, offers rapid printing while enabling cells to survive the process. However, the resulting prints lack structural integrity due to the use of cell-friendly gels. This poses a challenge for blood vessels, which must endure high pressures and bending. To overcome this limitation, researchers aimed to combine volumetric bioprinting with melt electrowriting.

Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in wound healing by developing a specialized ink that actively promotes the body’s healing process. Published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, the study introduces a wound-healing ink that exposes cuts to immune-system vesicles, stimulating the body’s natural healing response. Using a 3D-printing pen, the ink can be applied to wounds of any shape, and in experiments on mice, it demonstrated the ability to nearly completely repair wounds in just 12 days.

When the skin is injured, the body initiates its natural healing mechanisms, involving the clearance of bacteria, regeneration of blood vessels, and eventual formation of a scar. While various techniques support the body’s healing process, they typically complement its inherent abilities. Bandages and stitches control bleeding, while antibiotics prevent infections. However, by incorporating elements that actively aid the body’s construction crew in wound healing, the process could be accelerated.

Personalized medicine has emerged as a significant breakthrough in medical research, offering tailored treatments based on an individual’s genetic information. This approach has gained immense importance for patients, doctors, and pharmaceutical firms alike. However, a recent study by Professor Saurabh Mishra from George Mason University School of Business raises concerns about the potential diminishing returns for companies heavily invested in personalized medicine.

Analyzing data from 149 firms between 2007 and 2017, Mishra’s research found that the optimal representation of personalized medicine within a pharmaceutical company’s portfolio was around 30%. Companies with a significantly higher or lower proportion faced penalties in the financial markets, experiencing lower returns and higher risks on their investments.