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Our research develops biofabrication technologies and regenerative models to create lifelike tissue implants and advanced disease models. By inducing natural structures and functions, we aim to revolutionize treatment options for musculoskeletal injuries and deepen our understanding of tissue health. 

Our research focuses on using 3D biofabrication technology alongside living cells to engineer functional tissues for transplantation and to develop miniature models that simulate health and disease conditions. A key aim is to apply these biofabrication methods to regenerate musculoskeletal tissues, particularly cartilage and bone. However, the outcomes of the lab have been the foundation for a number of firmly integrated research lines within Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, including those focusing on the regeneration of renal, cardiac, hepatic and pancreatic tissues. Our innovative approaches in combining printing technologies and reinforcing living 3D tissue structures have gained widespread adoption in the field.

The lab comprises a multidisciplinary team of scientists, from biologists to biomedical engineers, chemists and physicists from Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� and from the ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� Medical Center Utrecht. The team, in collaboration with the Levato lab, contributes to and manages the Utrecht Biofabrication facility.

Biofabrication technologies

Biofabrication refers to the process of creating three-dimensional (3D) living tissue structures using 3D printing techniques, also known as additive manufacturing. Within the Utrecht Biofabrication Facility, established in 2013, we specifically concentrate on advancing and broadening the application of additive manufacturing technologies for biomedical purposes. Their primary emphasis lies in developing enhanced, biological constructs that possess a natural-like architecture and functionality. The lab utilizes various additive manufacturing techniques, including extrusion-based printing (extrusion-based bioprinting and fused deposition modeling), light-based printing (digital light processing and volumetric (bio)printing), electrohydrodynamic processing (solution electrospinning, melt electrospinning and melt electrowriting), and laser-induced forward transfer printing. Our lab has achieved the successful convergence of multiple of these technologies. This breakthrough has enabled the generation of composite structures that closely mimic nature and exhibit improved functional characteristics. 

Regeneration of orthopaedic tissues

Regenerative medicine has its roots in the field of tissue engineering in the late 80s and early 90s came with revolutionary concepts to culture larger pieces of living tissue based on the combination of (cultured) cells, biomaterials and bioactive cues. However, the proper functionality of any mammalian tissue is tightly linked to its anisotropic spatial organisation. Therefore, our lab integrates regenerative biology and regenerative engineering to advance biofabrication-based regenerative approaches. The resulting tissues can be used as a future implant or as an advanced in vitro model of healthy or pathological condition. 

Learning from nature

In order to understand the structural role of the osteochondral unit, i.e., the articular cartilage and the underlying bone, we are investigating the build-up of these tissues in different mammals ranging from mice to whales and elephants. Our group has built a “Cartilage tissue biobank” with tissues of over one hundred different species collected, underscoring the specific loading-related differences between aquatic and terrestrial mammals. 

Translational models

The overall aim of our lab is to translate biofabrication-based and clinically relevant implants and models towards applications. The team adopts advanced in vitro, as well as ex vivo models, including systems in which simulated loading can be applied to further mimic the native situation in a healthy or pathological environment. 

People

Alumni