3D Bioprinting Revolutionizes Tissue Engineering | 3D Cell Culture Research | Corning

Imagine the scientific possibilities when combining the principles of 3D printing with cell culture. Thanks to the innovative conceptual research of Professor Gabor Gorgacs from the University of Missouri and Dr. Thomas Boland from Clemson University, this revolutionary technique is now a reality. Now operating as the medical research company, Organovo, and being run by Sharon Presnell, Chief Scientific Officer, 3D bioprinting allows researchers to reproduce the unique features found in the geometry of natural tissues, while creating the cell-cell relationships that drive cellular function.

This latest technology, supported by Corning’s Transwell permeable supports, is advancing the field of tissue engineering. It reflects a technological evolution in both the biological and engineering side of cell culture, and it is enabling scientists to develop a more balanced approach to new tissue design.

Using primary human cells, Organovo researchers formulate them into “bio-inks”—some of which are 100% cellular, whereas other bio-inks may have components added to provide stiffness or other favorable attributes. In order to facilitate cell-cell relationships rather than cell-material relationships, researchers will work with fugitive biomaterial that disappears quickly after printing. The media used are at least 30% cellular, all the way up to 100% cellular, even at the time of their printing, which is an important part of Organovo’s platform.

Researchers then print the tissue into Transwell® permeable supports, which enables the tissues to anchor. For each tissue printed, Organovo uses at least two or three different materials laid down independently, which provides much-needed flexibility in the number of components and architectures that can be made. The result—different cell types are able to pattern in all three directions—x, y, and z—and this is the unique advantage of bioprinting over other typical 3D cell culture strategies that utilize scaffolds or hydrogels. “We can print a full plate of tissue, such as liver, in a 24-well Transwell insert within 60 minutes, so the printing process is a relatively fast and efficient procedure,” Presnell said.

According to Presnell, Organovo chose to partner with Corning because of the good repertoire of products, along with the diverse types of surfaces, pore sizes, and coatings available. “[This gave] us a range of options to pick from, which is ideal, because not all tissues are created equally,” Presnell said.

Organovo researchers ultimately chose Transwell permeable supports because the tissue can be fed from all directions through the membrane’s pores. By in vitro standards, the bioprinted tissue is fairly large, so it’s important for the tissue to have nutrient access from the bottom as well as the top. This work, “would simply not be possible without the Transwell permeable supports,” said Presnell.

Adds Presnell, “Corning has also been great to work with in terms of flexibility and helping attain our special needs. We are currently collaborating with our partners at Corning to develop a Transwell tray to improve ease-of-use and streamline our tissue manufacturing process. It has been a pleasure to work so productively and collaboratively with the team at Corning. It’s always good to have partners like that.”