The printing of body parts involves creating bioartificial tissues or organs through a method known as ‘3D printing/bioprinting.’
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Today, the world is making strides in technology, impacting industries from automotive to healthcare. For patients experiencing end-stage organ failure, orthotopic transplantation is still the primary treatment, but it comes with significant challenges like donor shortages, immune rejection, and the need for lifelong immunosuppression.
This innovative 3D printing technique offers hope as a groundbreaking alternative, capable of advancing medical research. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, as of March 31, 2024, there are 103,892 candidates on the organ transplant waiting list. Many people are desperately awaiting life-saving transplants, but only a few will receive them, leaving countless others at risk of death.
Due to the scarcity of donor organs, medical research is increasingly focused on personalized therapies, including the development of bioartificial tissues via 3D printing. This method is essential for creating tissue-specific analogues.
3D printing is a sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) additive manufacturing technique that builds objects layer by layer, allowing diverse materials to be shaped into complex forms.
Frequently referred to as rapid prototyping, it provides excellent control over both internal and external structures of developed models, which is crucial for patient-specific treatments. Chuck Hull first introduced the concept of additive manufacturing in the 1980s. In the early 1990s, MIT explored this layer-by-layer method, combining clinical imaging data with CAD using a standard inkjet print head, leading to significant opportunities in tissue engineering.
Integrating CAD with medical scans allows the potential creation of personalized, anatomically shaped implants tailored to the patient.
Image Credit: Himedia Laboratories Private Limited
Bioprinting expands on 3D printing by systematically depositing bioinks—liquids or gels containing living cells and growth factors—in an organized manner that mimics natural anatomical shapes, enabling the production of bioartificial organs or patient-specific living tissues on demand.
Pioneering research was conducted by Prof. Thomas Boland at the University of Texas, utilizing a modified desktop printer to dispense cells and proteins. Since then, 3D printing has been used to create various inanimate objects.
Additional applications of 3D printing technology
- Spritam® (levetiracetam), a 3D-printed medication for treating seizures, developed by Aprecia Pharmaceuticals using binder jet 3D printing technology (ZipDose®), has received FDA approval for commercialization. This exemplifies how the pharmaceutical industry uses 3D printing techniques to create drugs.
- Minimally invasive surgeries include the creation of magnetically controlled implants from shape-shifting materials, demonstrated by an MIT team led by Prof. Xuanhe Zhao. For example, a 3D-printed self-steering catheter can be guided magnetically to control blood flow, capture images, or deliver medication precisely.
- Food industry innovations feature companies like Aleph Farms and Steakholder Foods, which are pioneering customizable 3D-printed food. Israel-based Steakholder Foods has launched the industry’s first plant-based 3D-printed eel, pushing the boundaries of food technology.
Bioprinting clinically relevant living tissues and organs remains a highly complex task. Globally, scientists are making remarkable progress, accelerating advancements in this field.
A team led by Prof. Adam Feinberg at Carnegie Mellon University created the largest patient-specific, clinically relevant bioprinted patch using the freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels (FRESH) technique, successfully implanting it for soft tissue injury.
Dr. Arturo Bonilla, a pediatric ear reconstructive surgeon in San Antonio, collaborated with 3D Bio Therapeutics to successfully implant a collagen-based 3D-printed outer ear using the patient’s cells. This is especially significant for children with congenital defects like microtia, who often face social and psychological challenges. Thus, 3D bioprinting opens new and promising possibilities for these patients.
Figure 1. Concept schematic representation of the process to fabricate patient-specific tissues/organs. Image Credit: Himedia Laboratories Private Limited
Figure 2. Concept schematic demonstrating the engineering of the vascularized cardiac patch and complex cellularized structure, heart using the patient's own cells and biological material (CM: Cardiomyocytes, EC: Endothelial cells) 1. Image Credit: Himedia Laboratories Private Limited
However, a significant challenge remains in creating thick, three-dimensionally vascularized implants. The human vascular system is intricate, with a dense blood vessel network that plays a crucial role in nutrient and oxygen exchange. Another challenge is minimizing the body’s reaction to implants, which can be addressed by modifying implant surfaces and incorporating anti-inflammatory drugs and bioactive compounds.
One consequence of implanting 3D structures may include fever, pain, changes in vital signs, inflammation at the surgical site, and sometimes allergic reactions. This necessitates careful monitoring of patients, along with medication. A notable advancement was made by a team led by Prof. Tal Dvir at Tel Aviv University, which engineered a miniaturized, vascularized human heart from the patient’s own cells and biological materials.
Image Credit: Himedia Laboratories Private Limited
Interestingly, the living cells in the bioprinted heart were contracting. To assess the integrity of the heart's compartments, researchers used colored dyes to perfuse the printed chambers, showcasing the potential for 3D bioprinting to create personalized tissues and organs as alternatives to traditional organ replacements. However, the cells in the bioprinted heart need training to work together effectively. This can be accomplished through electrical or mechanical stimulation.
These advancements in 3D printing/bioprinting highlight its potential in pharmaceuticals and medical research, providing alternatives for creating complex tissue models that could save many lives.
The ultimate challenge lies in ensuring these organs function similarly to their natural counterparts.
Thus, we see that 3D printing/bioprinting is on the verge of clinical translation, poised to become a significant asset for medically challenged communities. HiMedia Laboratories is the first Indian company to establish a Center of Excellence (CoE) for 3D Cell Culture, featuring cutting-edge biomaterials and 3D bioprinting facilities. Such academic-industry collaborations will enhance knowledge and inspire innovative ideas, fostering the commercialization of biomaterials and bioinks, and the development of tissue models.
As a leader in affordable, high-quality bioscience products, HiMedia is partnering with renowned scientists to provide customizable 3D bioprinters and bioinks, actively supporting the Make in India initiative.
The CoE offers a platform for students, researchers, and professionals from various fields to gain hands-on experience with biomaterials and bioinks development efficiently and affordably.
References
- Noor, N., et al. (2019). 3D Printing of Personalized Thick and Perfusable Cardiac Patches and Hearts. Advanced Science, 6(11), p.1900344. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.201900344.
- Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network (2018). Data - OPTN. (online) Hrsa.gov. Available at: https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/data/.
- W, H.C. (1984). Apparatus for Production of Three-Dimensional Objects by Stereolithography. United States Patent, Appl., No. 638905, Filed. (online) Available at: https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1571135649588411008.
- Aprecia Pharmaceuticals. Aprecia | 3D Printing in Medicine. (online) Available at: https://www.aprecia.com/.
- Metcalfe, T. (2018). Scientists are pushing the limits of 3D printing with these shape-shifting materials. (online) NBC News. Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/scientistsare-%20pushing-limits-3d-printing-these-shape-shiftingmaterials-%20ncna895301 (Accessed 9 Jun. 2025).
- Steakholder Foods. 3D Printed Meat. (online) Available at: https://www.steakholderfoods.com/.
- NBC News. (2025). Science News: Latest on Tech, Health, Outer Space & More. (online) Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/ (Accessed 9 Jun. 2025).
About Himedia Laboratories Private Limited
With a presence in more than 150 countries, HiMedia is amongst the top three brands in the Bioscience Industry.
HiMedia Laboratories Private Limited is world renowned for manufacturing high quality culture media for microbiology. Additionally, we provide advanced media and products in the fields of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Plant Tissue Culture, Chemicals and Lab Aids/Equipment. As a Top Tier Global player, we are not only dedicated towards products but also striven towards introducing technologies such as Genomics Sequencing Services and Hydroponics.
HiMedia has managed to do this over decades as we have our own in-house bulk raw materials manufacturing plant. This enables us to deliver consistent quality products that conform to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2012 and WHO: GMP.
HiMedia Labs. caters to one of the broadest Biosciences product categories: our premier established line of Microbiology products and newer promising products in Molecular Biology, Automated and Molecular Instruments, Cell Biology, Chemicals, and Premium Grade Lab Consumables, amongst others. The COVID-19 pandemic revolutionized not the clinical industry’s thought process regarding the significance of Molecular Diagnostics products.
The ‘Molecular Biology and Virology Division’ of HiMedia Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. Also called as HiGenoMB® is a One Stop Solution Provider churning out potential Research and Industry oriented Molecular biology products for the past glorious decade. About 2000 different products such as Nucleic Acid Extraction and Amplification (PCR) Kits, Cloning Reagents, Buffers & Chemicals for proteomics studies, Automated Molecular Instrumentation including RT PCR machines and PCR thermal cyclers and DNA/RNA Extraction platforms are being produced. The Proficient researchers in this department are spear heading the challenging field of Molecular Diagnostics to provide a complete solution for clinical diagnosis, agriculture, veterinary sciences, food industry, drug discovery and forensic medicine with the use of Real Time PCR or quantitative PCR kits and thermal cyclers. Our Molecular Biology Division-has established an in-house Advanced Sequencing and Bioinformatics facility which marks HiMedia’s entry into the Services space.
Our Cell Biology segment contributes with technologies which have brought in Serum free media for biopharma applications, Viral Vaccine Production Platform, Multicompendial grade chemicals, cultivated meat, and 3D bioprinting.
Moving from conventional to advanced automated methods like MALDI-TOF (Autof MS 1000) has been our newest endeavour for Microbiology.
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