May 9, 2014

Mastering better health solutions using 3D-printing techniques

The world’s first Masters degree in medical treatments based on printing and regrowing human tissue has been launched at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in partnership with three leading research universities.

The UOW-headquartered ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) and partner institutions will offer the Masters degree in Biofabrication for Future Manufacturing with graduates awarded qualifications in both Australia and Europe.

Biofabrication – a process of regrowing human tissue using 3D printing techniques – will enable health professionals to offer patients improved, personalised treatments in the future.

Current research is focused on regrowing nerve and tissue damaged by disease or injury, which could offer new treatments for breast cancer patients following mastectomy and rehabilitating people who suffer spinal chord injury.

This new field of medicine employs 3D printing techniques, which deposit and fuse materials layer-by-layer to form a pre-designed shape. These custom-made shapes made from suitably biocompatible materials can be implanted into the body an act as a support on which new tissue can grow.

Growth factors or the patient’s own cells are seeded in the scaffold to help spur the body’s healing process. After the new tissue has formed the printed structure is designed to dissolve in the bloodstream. 

Although a 3D printed fully functioning organ is still some way off, biofabrication has already successfully being used to repair broken and missing bone.

World-leading biofabrication research institutes joining UOW are: Queensland University of Technology in Australia, the University Medical Centre Utrecht in the Netherlands and the University of Würzburg in Germany. 

ACES Director Professor Gordon Wallace said the Masters degree would provide participants with highly sought after, internationally recognised skills in biofabrication. 

“Graduates of the program will have an international network, a track-record of collaboration with the world’s leading bionics, fabrication and bio-ethics experts and an appreciation of all the processes involved in taking an idea through to commercial reality,” he said.

Each participating university has a track record in key areas of biofabrication, including polymer chemistry, cell biology, clinical implants and the process of fabrication.

“The key strength ACES brings to the partnership is our expertise in providing end-to-end biofabrication solutions. This means we have the capability to help researchers take their idea from a concept, right through to a product that can be used to help patients,” Professor Wallace said.

For example, ACES has expertise in forming printable bio-inks, stem cell biology, and developing custom bioprinting and 3D printing hardware.

This expertise has led to many innovations in materials and delivery: formulations that allow living cells to be delivered as part of the 3D printing process and tools such as the BioPen to deliver the cell material.

The Masters degree, which will open to applicants later this year, will admit 10 students per participating university to the degree. Students will spend the majority of time with their host organisation, and between nine to 12 months with one of the participating international counterparts.

Professor Wallace said biofabrication is a multidisciplinary area of research that required an understanding of chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, robotics and computer science. He encouraged graduates in these fields to apply for the Masters degree.

The Masters degree in Biofabrication for Future Manufacturing is supported by the Australian Government and the European Union.

Media contact: ACES Communication and Media Officer Sarah McMaster on +61 2 4221 3788 or sarahmcm@uow.edu.au;  QUT Media Officer Niki Widdowson on n.widdowson@qut.edu.au +61 7 3138 2999 or +61 434 943 492.

More: Learn about how 3D printing is changing approaches to science, art, design and the ethical implications at the public event 3D Print Sydney.