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Spanish scientists have created a prototype of a 3D printer and bio-ink, allowing you to print human skin suitable for transplantation, as well as testing chemicals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
The technology is being developed by researchers from the Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M), the CIEMAT Research Center, the Gregorio Maranion Hospital and the BioDan Group. The obtained samples exactly repeat the structure of human skin, including the epidermis with an external stratum corneum and connective tissue - the dermis. Derma is capable of producing collagen - a protein that gives the skin elasticity and mechanical strength.
A key element of the technology is bio-ink, patented by CIEMAT and licensed by the BioDan Group. “For the system to work correctly, it is critical to understand how to mix components correctly, under what conditions to work with them to avoid decomposition, and how to build a finished bio-product,” explains Juan Francisco del Cañizo, one of the authors of the project.
According to Professor Jose Luis Horkano, the technology will allow the creation of skin materials for transplantation and testing of pharmacological and cosmetic products in a fairly short time and at an affordable price. Depending on the purpose of the finished product, the process can vary: for the cosmetics industry, large batches can be produced from artificially grown cell cultures, and for the treatment of burns, it is possible to grow a new skin cover from cell samples of individual patients. Currently, the development is awaiting certification by European regulatory authorities.
