Every year, the Research Promotion Agency, which is owned by the Republic, supports groundbreaking research projects in Austria with highly endowed grants. This year, the JKU received a total of five million euros for two projects – 2.5 million will go to the BioMediCry Center, which acts as an interface between the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine.
The equipment of the new laboratory, in which an interdisciplinary team of biophysicists, doctors and biologists work, is unique in Austria. “We will have a world-leading 3D bioprinter and high-resolution devices for microscopy and spectroscopy that will give us completely new insights into living tissue – in real time,” says Eleni Priglinger, group leader at the University Clinic for Orthopedics and Traumatology at the University Hospital and member of the renowned research group.
The bioprinter allows researchers to print various biocompatible materials, both living cells and inorganic materials that can be used as substitutes for organ transplants or as disease models.
Replacement for animal testing
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For example, models of tumor tissue can be grown with patient-specific cells in order to develop various treatment options towards personalized therapies.
State-of-the-art equipment and techniques are used to examine the complex 3D-printed tissues down to their deeper layers in real time. “This makes it possible, for example, to investigate whether a tumor in a particular patient responds better to a drug or how an active ingredient affects a joint damaged by osteoarthritis, using realistic models in the laboratory,” explains Priglinger.
This enables studies of biological processes that are of great importance both in basic research and for clinical application. This technology also has the potential to replace animal testing and improve ethical standards in research. There are concrete applications in numerous disciplines such as regenerative medicine, oncology, orthopedics and pharmacology.
Solid financial resources
Alberta Bonanni, Vice Rector for Research and International Affairs at JKU, is delighted about the funding: “Outstanding research needs bold ideas and passionate scientists who think outside the box of their research areas.”
However, this requires solid financial resources for the individual projects. “That’s why I’m particularly pleased that the FFG has approved two JKU projects with 2.5 million euros each and a three-year term,” says Bonanni.
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Ethical issues of 3D printing in medicine
Biomimicry and 3D Bioprinting: Revolutionizing Medical Research and Promoting Ethical Standards
Every year, the Research Promotion Agency, owned by the Republic, supports groundbreaking research projects in Austria with highly endowed grants. This year, the Johannes Kepler University (JKU) received a total of five million euros for two projects, with 2.5 million euros going to the BioMediCry Center, an interface between the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine.
The equipment of the new laboratory, where an interdisciplinary team of biophysicists, doctors, and biologists work, is unique in Austria. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with a world-leading 3D bioprinter and high-resolution devices for microscopy and spectroscopy, allowing researchers to gain completely new insights into living tissue in real-time [[2]]. The bioprinter enables the printing of various biocompatible materials, including living cells and inorganic materials, which can be used as substitutes for organ transplants or disease models.
One of the significant applications of this technology is the potential replacement of animal testing. By growing models of tumor tissue with patient-specific cells, researchers can develop personalized treatment options and investigate the efficacy of drugs and active ingredients in a realistic laboratory setting [[2]]. This technology has the potential to improve ethical standards in research, reduce the need for animal testing, and promote more accurate and effective treatment options.
The BioMediCry Center’s research has far-reaching implications for various disciplines, including regenerative medicine, oncology, orthopedics, and pharmacology. The center’s work is a testament to the potential of biomimicry, which involves the imitation of nature to develop innovative solutions for various industries. According to the Biomimicry Institute, biomimicry has the potential to accelerate the growth of nature-inspired startups and bring innovative solutions to the market [[1]].
Solid financial resources are essential for supporting groundbreaking research projects like the BioMediCry Center. Alberta Bonanni, Vice Rector for Research and International Affairs at JKU, emphasized the importance of bold ideas and passionate scientists who think outside the box of their research areas [[2]]. The funding from the Research Promotion Agency will enable the center to pursue its research goals and make significant contributions to the field of biomimicry and 3D bioprinting.
the BioMediCry Center’s research is at the forefront of biomimicry and 3D bioprinting, with the potential to revolutionize medical research and promote ethical standards in the field. The center’s work is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and the importance of solid financial resources in supporting innovative research projects.
References:
[1] The Biomimicry Institute. (n.d.). Nature-Inspired Innovation. Retrieved from
[2] UncoVR. (n.d.). Fünf Mio. Euro Förderung für manipulierbare Materialien und 3D-gedruckte Organe. Retrieved from
[3] Haidar, Z. S. (2022). Perspective Chapter: Biomimetics – Bio-Inspired Tissular Engineering. Retrieved from
Revolutionizing Medicine: The Future of 3D Bioprinting
Every year, the Research Promotion Agency supports groundbreaking research projects in Austria with highly endowed grants. This year, the Johannes Kepler University (JKU) received a total of five million euros for two projects, with 2.5 million euros going to the BioMediCry Center. This center acts as an interface between the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine.
A World-Leading 3D Bioprinter
The equipment of the new laboratory, where an interdisciplinary team of biophysicists, doctors, and biologists work, is unique in Austria. The laboratory will feature a world-leading 3D bioprinter and high-resolution devices for microscopy and spectroscopy, providing completely new insights into living tissue in real-time. This bioprinter allows researchers to print various biocompatible materials, including living cells and inorganic materials that can be used as substitutes for organ transplants or as disease models[[[3]].
Replacement for Animal Testing
One of the most significant potential applications of 3D bioprinting is the replacement of animal testing. For example, models of tumor tissue can be grown with patient-specific cells to develop various treatment options towards personalized therapies. State-of-the-art equipment and techniques are used to examine the complex 3D-printed tissues down to their deeper layers in real-time. This enables studies of biological processes that are of great importance both in basic research and for clinical application[[[3]].
Solid Financial Resources
The funding of 2.5 million euros each for two JKU projects with a three-year term is a significant boost to the research efforts. “Outstanding research needs bold ideas and passionate scientists who think outside the box of their research areas,” says Alberta Bonanni, Vice Rector for Research and International Affairs at JKU. “That’s why I’m particularly pleased that the FFG has approved two JKU projects with 2.5 million euros each and a three-year term”[[[3]].
Embedded 3D Bioprinting
Embedded 3D bioprinting is a gel-in-gel approach developed to overcome the gravitational and overhanging limits of bioprinting to print large-sized constructs. This approach allows for the creation of complex 3D structures with high fidelity and precision [[2]].
Development of 3D Bioprinting
The development of 3D bioprinting has evolved significantly over the years, from its fundamental principles to its commercialization. There are various printing methods and classification of 3D bioprinting, including extrusion-based, inkjet-based, and laser-based bioprinting[[[3]].
Ethical Issues of 3D Printing in Medicine
While 3D bioprinting holds great promise for revolutionizing medicine, it also raises several ethical issues. These include concerns about the potential misuse of bioprinted tissues, the need for strict regulations, and the ethical implications of creating human-like organs and tissues.
the future of 3D bioprinting is vast and promising. With solid financial resources, cutting-edge technology, and innovative approaches, researchers are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in medicine. As the field continues to evolve, it is essential to address the ethical
