Burcin Ekser博士和他的研究团队印第安纳大学医学院(IUSM) have been awarded $9 million to further their 3D bioprinting research for the development of transplantable organs.
A three year deal, the money was contributed byLung Biotechnology PBC, a wholly-owned subsidiary ofUnited Therapeutics Corporation(NASDAQ: UTHR), that is alsoworking with 3D Systems.
At the time of the funding announcement, Dr. Esker commented, “This alliance with Lung Biotechnology will greatly enhance our ability to accomplish our ultimate goal of providing an unlimited supply of organs to save human lives.”
Highlighting the transplantable organ shortage, Dr. Esker added:
“It’s my passion because I’m a transplant surgeon; I don’t want anyone to die while they’re waiting for a transplantable organ.”
动物测试的替代方法？
Ekser博士和团队负责IUSM的异种移植实验室。异种移植是跨物种移植的实践，由于亲密的生物学相似性，该团队正在开发生产可以捐赠给人类的猪器官的方法。
在一个感兴趣的领域，IUSM团队正在与CRISPRgene editingto bioengineer pig organs that are even more suited to human transplant.
在第二个区域，该小组正在研究如何使用3D生物打印来从猪细胞样品中生长器官，从而消除了活动物的使用。
把针头放在上面
3D bioprinting technology used at IUSM is theKenzan method, marketed in the Regenova 3D bioprinter fromCyfuse Biomedical K.K. A “scaffold-free” approach, the Kenzan method is based on a needle array, tightly arrange into a square.
至3D打印，实验室生长的单元单独串起阵列中的每个针，逐渐构建了所需的形状，例如圆柱形容器。
这些细胞彼此齐全地挤满了培养物，自然融合在一起，形成一个可以从针头去除的完整组织。
这些细胞第二次留在培养物中，以填充针刺留下的空隙，从而提供完整的活组织样品。
接下来，在IUSM的工作中，组织样品保存在专门设计的内部，3D printed bioreactor called FABRICA. With FABRICA, the scientists can replicate blood flow through the 3D bioprinted tissue and monitor its reaction.
At the东京大学，以前已经使用了相同的方法3D Bioprint A“迷你肝脏”tissue sample.
Five day mini-organs
借助Kenzan 3D生物打印，IUSM团队已经证明了“ [3D]在一天内打印微型猪器官模型，在五天内成长和成熟的能力”according对于埃克斯博士，然后在两周的时间内对其进行测试以取得预期的结果。在异种移植实验室的努力中，大量的蓝色思维思考，Ekser博士确认了这一愿景：“因此人们将来去医院，我们将打印您需要的器官，”
“那么我们基本上不会缺乏器官。”
通过与肺生物技术PBC的合作，实验室的目标是“进步，因此我们可以尽快实现该目标。”
Lung Biotechnology PBC
肺部生物技术PBC成立于1997年，旨在将研究和开发用于保存和评估移植肺的方法。作为联合治疗剂的扩展，它还参与了新药治疗心脏病的临床试验。ADCIRCA，ORENITRAM，REMODULIN和TYVASO是其母公司已经在市场上的一些药物。与此同时，Beraprost 3是自2013年以来一直在试验中的新合成。
In April 2017,3D Systems announced its plans to collaborate with Lung Biotechnology PBCon developing 3D bioprinting solutions.
At the time of the announcement, 3D Systems CEOVyomesh Joshi, said, “We believe bioprinting is a powerful opportunity and we are uniquely positioned with the broadest portfolio of technologies to partner with companies of the caliber of United Therapeutics to provide healthcare solutions of the future.”
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Featured image shows from left to right: Lester Smith, PhD; Burcin Ekser, MD, PhD; and Ping Li, PhD of the University of Indiana’s Xenotransplantation lab. Photo by Erich Schoch/IU
