Building bones: 3D printing the future of bone tissue engineering
Have you ever wondered how scientists study how cancer spreads to bones?
Traditionally, this research has heavily relied on animal testing, but researchers in Dr Tgiskou鈥檚 group at the in collaboration with Dr Harrison and Professor Clarke in Breast Biology Group, 91直播 Cancer Research Centre, at The University of Manchester, are revolutionising this field by using 3D printing technology to create sophisticated bone models in the laboratory. This innovative approach could significantly reduce the need for animal testing while providing more controlled and reproducible conditions for studying bone tissue.鈥�
Nature's building blocks
Our bones are complex structures with unique properties that make them particularly interesting in cancer research, especially when studying how breast cancer spreads (metastasises) to bone tissue. Understanding these interactions traditionally required extensive animal studies, but our groundbreaking research is changing this paradigm by combining the precision of 3D printing with the power of stem cells to create realistic bone models in the laboratory.
Printing the future
We're essentially creating a 'bone in a dish' using 3D printing technology. Think of it as building a miniature version of bone tissue where we can study cancer cell behaviour in a controlled environment.
The team uses two special materials to create these cellular homes:
- PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)) - a biodegradable material commonly used in medical applications. This polymer provides the basic structure for our bone model.
- HA-PLGA - a combination of PLGA and hydroxyapatite, a mineral naturally found in bone. The addition of hydroxyapatite makes the material more similar to natural bone tissue, creating a more realistic environment for our studies.
This research is particularly exciting because it uses a basic 3D printing technology. While traditional tissue engineering typically relies on specialized 33D bioprinters like the Cellink BIO X6 (拢130,000-拢160,000) or the RegenHu R-GEN 200 (拢150,000-拢200,000), our research demonstrates successful results using a standard FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) printer - the same type of technology used in common desktop 3D printers that cost just 拢300-拢1000. This dramatic reduction in equipment costs could democratize tissue engineering research, making it accessible to more laboratories worldwide. By showing that effective scaffolds can be created using these cost-effective methods, we're opening doors for researchers who previously couldn't afford the expensive bioprinting equipment traditionally required in this field.
Stem cells: the master builders
The real magic happens when stem cells called bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are introduced to these 3D-printed scaffolds. These remarkable cells are able to transform into various cell types, including bone cells. They're like nature's own construction workers, capable of building new tissue when given the right environment.
"It's like giving these cells the perfect environment to become what we need them to be," Fatih Eroglu notes. "Our early results show that the cells are not just surviving but, creating a realistic bone-like environment that we can use for studying cancer metastasis.
The microscopic structure of the scaffolds plays a crucial role in this process. Tiny pores throughout the material create an interconnected network that allows cells to:
- Move freely through the structure
- Access nutrients necessary for survival
- Form connections with other cells
- Develop into organised bone-like tissue
Breaking new ground This 3D printing technology could transform how we study cancer metastasis to bone. Early results show that the stem cells successfully:
- Attach to the scaffold structure
- Multiply and grow
- Begin transforming into bone cells
- Create their own extracellular matrix, the natural framework of tissue
This success marks a significant step forward in developing alternative methods to animal testing. By creating an environment that closely mimics natural bone, we're providing researchers with a reliable platform for studying how cancer cells interact with bone tissue.
Looking ahead
This research opens up exciting possibilities for cancer research and drug development. By combining technology with advanced biological understanding, we're moving closer to a future where many preliminary studies can be conducted without the need for animal testing.
The implications extend beyond just cancer research. The principles and techniques developed in this work could potentially be applied to studying other diseases that affect bone tissue, all while reducing our reliance on animal models.
"We're not just building scaffolds," Fatih Eroglu concludes, " we're creating new ways to study disease and test treatments that could reduce animal testing while accelerating research progress."
Words and images - Fatih Eroglu