3D Printing biofabrication for vascular structures
As mentioned by Professor Mata, “This work offers opportunities in biofabrication by enabling simultaneous top-down 3D bioprinting and bottom-up self-assembly of synthetic and biological components in an orderly manner from the nanoscale. Here, we are biofabricating micro-scale capillary-like fluidic structures that are compatible with cells, exhibit physiologically relevant properties, and have the capacity to withstand flow. This could enable the recreation of vasculature in the lab and have implications in the development of safer and more efficient drugs, meaning treatments could potentially reach patients much more quickly.”
According to Dr. Yuanhao Wu, “who is the lead researcher on the project, she said: “There is a great interest in developing materials and fabrication processes that emulate those from nature. However, the ability to build robust functional materials and devices through the self-assembly of molecular components has until now been limited. This research introduces a new method to integrate proteins with graphene oxide by self-assembly in a way that can be easily integrated with additive manufacturing to fabricate biofluidic devices that allow us to replicate key parts of human tissues and organs in the lab.”
Biomaterial discovery enables 3D printing of tissue-like vascular structures.
