3D Bioprinting
The field of 3D printing is making rapid progress in biology labs around the world. Scientists have printed a range of body parts, including heart valves, knee cartilage, bone implants, kidney cells, blood vessels and beating heart muscle.
The goal is to create living human tissues that are proven to work like native tissues potentially a) for implantation to replace or repair damaged tissue, and b) for use in disease modelling and toxicology.
This meeting will bring together research leaders from different disciplines to review the current state of 3D Bio-printing, develop new collaborations, conduct stimulating discussions concerning the future of bio-printing and explore opportunities for British industry.
Building on the collective strengths of the UK in the fields of stem cells and regenerative medicine, ink-jet printing, material science and engineering, 3D bio-printing could provide the UK with a competitive edge within manufacturing and help stimulate economic growth.
Living cells are fragile and notoriously sensitive to human manipulation. The challenges are therefore associated with the development of printing processes which are both controllable and less harmful, in order to preserve cell and tissue viability and functions.