Spatial Growth Factor Delivery for 3D Bioprinting of Vascularized Bone with Adipose-Derived Stem/Stromal Cells as a Single Cell Source.

Encapsulating multiple growth factors within a scaffold enhances the regenerative capacity of engineered bone grafts through their localization and controls the spatiotemporal release profile. In this study, we bioprinted hybrid bone grafts with an inherent built-in controlled growth factor delivery system, which would contribute to vascularized bone formation using a single stem cell source, human adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs) in vitro. The strategy was to provide precise control over the ASC-derived osteogenesis and angiogenesis at certain regions of the graft through the activity of spatially positioned microencapsulated BMP-2 and VEGF within the osteogenic and angiogenic bioink during bioprinting.

3D printed hydrogel scaffold promotes the formation of hormone-active engineered parathyroid tissue.

The parathyroid glands are localized at the back of the thyroid glands in the cervical region and are responsible for regulation of the calcium level in the blood, through specialized cells that sense Caand secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) in response to a decline in its serum level. PTH stimulates the skeleton, kidneys and intestines and controls the level of Cathrough specialized activities. Iatrogenic removal of the parathyroid gland, as well as damage to its vascular integrity during cauterization are some of the common complications of thyroid surgery.

3D Printed Biodegradable Polyurethaneurea Elastomer Recapitulates Skeletal Muscle Structure and Function.

Effective skeletal muscle tissue engineering relies on control over the scaffold architecture for providing muscle cells with the required directionality, together with a mechanical property match with the surrounding tissue. Although recent advances in 3D printing fulfill the first requirement, the available synthetic polymers either are too rigid or show unfavorable surface and degradation profiles for the latter. In addition, natural polymers that are generally used as hydrogels lack the required mechanical stability to withstand the forces exerted during muscle contraction.

Novel additive manufacturing applications for communicable disease prevention and control: focus on recent COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has had serious adverse effects globally in 2020 which are foreseen to extend in 2021, as well. The most important of these effects was exceeding the capacity of the healthcare infrastructures, and the related inability to meet the need for various medical equipment especially within the first months of the crisis following the emergence and rapid spreading of the virus. Urgent global demand for the previously unavailable personal protective equipment, sterile disposable medical supplies as well as the active molecules including vaccines and drugs fueled the need for the coordinated efforts of the scientific community.