Creating living tissues in the lab requires closely mimicking their natural internal structure. In addition, capillary networks that carry oxygen and nutrients are critical to successfully sustaining the life of cells in the integrated tissue environment. Researchers at University of California, San Diego have developed a method of printing tiny (4 millimeters × 5 millimeters, 600 micrometers thick), pre-designed vascular networks that turn into vessel-like structures made of the same cells as natural blood vessels.
The new method, called microscale continuous optical bioprinting (μCOB), involves embedding a mix of different kinds of live cells into a hydrogel and then using ultraviolet light and mirrors to heat up and solidify 3D patterns within the hydrogel.
The living cells that are left untouched, and that are inside the newly created structure, eventually settle in and grow new cells. These structures were implanted onto the wounds of mice, which bonded together and the mouse tissue connected its vascular network with the man-made one, letting blood flow through it as though it is its own.
Study in journal Biomaterials: Direct 3D bioprinting of prevascularized tissue constructs with complex microarchitecture…
Via: UCSD…