[News Terms] '3D Bioprinting' Achievements in Clinical Trials

'3D Bio Printing' refers to a technology that uses bioink made from cells and biomaterials along with a three-dimensional (3D) printer to create artificial organs or tissues.

The core of 3D bio printing is bioink. To construct body tissues, cells or proteins must serve as the base, so additional materials that are soft yet capable of forming shapes are mixed with the patient's body tissues. Typically, bioink contains a mixture of alginate, collagen, and hydrogel.

Artificial muscle created by POSTECH research team using 3D bioprinting.
[Photo by POSTECH]

Collagen contains cells, and hydrogel delivers nutrients to the cells. For tissues such as teeth and bones, calcium phosphate is used, while polysaccharides necessary for regeneration are used for cartilage. Different cells and proteins are used depending on the characteristics of the body tissue to be created, making it important to establish a suitable survival environment. Since bioink must not damage cells or alter the matrix when heated, finding appropriate bioink materials is a key challenge.

Recently, 3D bio printing technology has been applied to actual patient treatments, yielding continuous results. According to the medical community on the 19th, clinical trials conducted in five countries including Korea, the United States, and India have evaluated that patient-customized patch procedures are possible regardless of race, age, or the size and location of the affected area. Additionally, a research team at POSTECH developed bioink with high cell viability and resolution using natural carbohydrates derived from seaweed and harmless visible light, which was published in the international journal 'Carbohydrate Polymers.'

Encouraged by this, the medical community expects that bio printing technology will soon be widely applied to patient treatment and has launched the Bio Printing Research Association. Kang Dae-hee, president of the Bio Printing Research Association and a professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine, stated, "Bio printing technology integrated with artificial intelligence and big data can open a new paradigm of treatment for patients with chronic diseases," adding, "Through the research association, we will lead collaboration among industries, research institutions, and hospitals to establish the direction for bio printing and regenerative medicine and achieve results through this."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.