Print stable bones
Freiburg researchers receive 430,000 euros from the German Research Foundation for the development of human bone replacement using 3D printers / Stability and natural development of the printed bone tissue to be improved
Using a special 3D printer to produce living bone tissue for complex operations: A team led by Prof. Dr. Günter Finkenzeller, research section head at the Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery at the Freiburg University Medical Center, and Dr. Peter Koltay,senior scientist at the Institute of Microsystems Engineering at the University of Freiburg, are researching this. They will now receive 430,000 euros from the German Research Foundation for the next three years. After laying the foundations for the 3D printingof artificial bone tissue in the first funding period, the current project aims to test further developments in the three-dimensional printing process. One aim of the project is to print bone replacement tissue that has the same stiffness as natural bone tissue.
To this end, a combined process for printing soft, cell-containing bioinks as well as stable thermoplastics and calcium phosphate cements is to be developed. The bioinks contain human mesenchymal stem cells, which are later responsible for bone formation, and human endothelial cells for the formation of blood vessels to supply the tissue with oxygen and nutrients. The new research project also aims to promote the maturation of the artificial bone over time through the targeted introduction of specific growth and differentiation factors. The project aims to further develop the bioprinting of human tissue in such a way that these tissues can potentially be used in the clinic in the future.
Video caption: In a multi-stage printing process, bone-forming (light gel) and blood vessel-forming cells (blue) are arranged three-dimensionally. Additionally printed enzymes cross-link and strengthen the gel.
Image rights: © Application development/IMTEK, University of Freiburg
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Günter Finkenzeller
Section Head of Research and Tissue Engineering
Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery
University Medical Center Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-63670
guenter.finkenzeller@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Back
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Central Information
Phone: 0761 270-0
info@uniklinik-freiburg.de
For press inquiries:
Corporate Communications
Breisacher Straße 153
79110 Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-84830
kommunikation@uniklinik-freiburg.de