Abstract

3D bio-printing of in-vitro functional human liver tissues

Arun Chandru, Co-founder & Managing Director, Pandorum Technologies

Bio-engineered 3D functional human tissues and organoids not only represent a major step towards on-demand manufacturing of personalized organs for surgical transplantation; but also are emerging as vital tools to bridge the gap between traditional 2D cell culture assays, animal models and human trials in the development of new drugs and vaccines. In this talk, 3D bio-printing of in-vitro human liver tissues at Pandorum Technologies will be presented. Various components of tissue engineering involved such as bio-materials, cell biology and 3D bio-printing will be discussed. It is seen that these 3D bio-printed in-vitro liver tissues mimic the human liver structurally and functionally to a reasonable extent. Characterization and evaluation of these liver tissues in terms of viability, gene and protein expression, histology, metabolism and response to prototypical compounds will be presented. Further, the scope of such 3D bio-printed functional liver tissues in developing in-vitro disease models for hepatitis and malaria, and as platforms for drug discovery and development will be conversed about. Future clinical possibilities such as the development of tissue based extracorporeal liver support systems, and liver lobes for transplantation will also be briefed upon.