Bioprinter rapidly mimics tissues from brain to bone

Where most of today’s bioprinters rely on time-consuming layer-by-layer fabrication, the new platform uses an optical-based system where vibrating bubbles 3D print cellular structures in seconds. The technique is claimed to be 350 times than existing bioprinters, as well as enabling more accurate cell positioning for better replication of human tissue.

According to the Melbourne team, the device can mimic everything from soft brain tissue to tougher substances such as cartilage and bone. This accuracy combined with the platform’s speed could be a major boon for areas including cancer research and drug development. The work is published in Nature.

“In addition to drastically improving print speed, our approach enables a degree of cell positioning within printed tissues,” said Associate Professor David Collins, head of Melbourne’s Collins BioMicrosystems Laboratory.

“Incorrect cell positioning is a big reason most 3D bioprinters fail to produce structures that accurately represent human tissue. Just as a car requires its mechanical components to be arranged precisely for proper function, so too must the cells in our tissues be organised correctly. Current 3D bioprinters depend on cells aligning naturally without guidance, which presents significant limitations.

“Our system, on the other hand, uses acoustic waves generated by a vibrating bubble to position cells within 3D printed structures. This method provides the necessary head start for cells to develop into the complex tissues found in the human body.”

In addition to speed and anatomic accuracy, the device prints the cell structures directly into standard lab plates for analysis. This removes an intermediary step of physical handling associated with current bioprinting, ensuring the printed structures remain intact and sterile. According to the Melbourne team, the technology is already making waves within the medical community.  

“Biologists recognise the immense potential of bioprinting, but until now, it has been limited to applications with a very low output,” said PhD student Callum Vidler, lead author on the study.

“We've developed our technology to address this gap, offering significant advancements in speed, precision, and consistency. This creates a crucial bridge between lab research and clinical applications.

“So far, we've engaged with around 60 researchers from institutions including the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Harvard Medical School, and the Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”