08:00 | Morning Coffee, Tea and Networking |
| Session Title: Applications of 3D-Printing in the Life Sciences |
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08:30 | | Keynote Presentation Biomimetic Collagen-Like Hydrogels: From In Vitro Testing to Regenerative Medicine May Griffith, Professor and Caroline Durand Foundation Research Chair in Cellular Therapy, University of Montreal, Canada
The body’s extracellular matrix (ECM) modulates both organ development and its repair and regeneration. Collagen is a major component of the ECM and we have shown that a recombinantly produced version of human collagen in form of cell-free hydrogel implants successfully promoted regeneration of the human cornea in clinical trials. These implants were fabricated by 3D moulding. However, recombinant human collagen like native collagen is a large protein and not easily processed for fabrication into implants. We have therefore developed collagen-like peptide-based analogs. These analogs can also be moulded into implants and their performance in pre-clinical large animal models shows equivalence in function. However, they are readily synthesized, easy to functionalize chemically as well as physically, the latter by micro- and nano-patterning. |
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09:15 | Promises and Future of Bioprinting Technic in Cosmetic Evaluation Maité Rielland, Advanced Research Engineer, L’Oréal, France
Since last 80’, a long time before 2013 European Union ban on animal testing for cosmetic products, L’Oréal has placed itself as a pioneer for reconstructed human skin. It became one of the first cosmetic companies testing its raw materials/actives/formulations on in-house reconstructed human skin and now selling them through Episkin, our production company in Lyon, France. Bioprinting is a great alternative to create new models of skin with a complexity that cannot be achieved only by human hands. One of the biggest potential advantages of this technology is the ability to place cells or biological material where it needs to be placed, opening a few doors for tissue engineering. It will be a tool for screening and model construction in the next few years and is already pushing us to think 3D in vitro models and Tissue Engineering differently. |
09:45 | 3D Printing Model Assist Ribs Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Kuan Hsun Lin, Chief Resident, Division of Thoracic Surgery, National Defense Medical Center Taipei and Taiwan FDA, Taiwan
The 3D model can help surgeons get more information than a traditional image. The utilization of 3D-printing model assist Ribs open reduction and internal fixation revealed the importance of pre-operative shaping of personalize plates to improve surgical intervention. |
10:15 | Novel Scaffolding Approaches for the Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Suwan Jayasinghe, Professor of Bioengineering, Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, United Kingdom
Scaffolds are critical for reconstructing a fully cellularised tissue. In this presentation the author presents and discusses the many approaches said to have promise in this endeavour, namely in the reconstruction of tissues, greatly demanded in regenerative medicine. The methods chosen and highlighted in this presentation are based on their perceived promise as postulated in the literature. These methods are further distilled and categorised into either direct and in-direct methods by their ability to either handle the cells and added materials simultaneously or not. Additionally, the author raises another important facet previously not given any thought to, which is - are the cells with other materials truly in three-dimensions to each other? This is critical in the authors perspective as the end goal is for the development of a fully cellularised thick tissue having cells dispersed in three-dimensions to each other for the cells to undergo all expected cellular behaviour as understood through native tissues. Hence keeping the above aspects in mind together with the time and associated costs for the reconstruction of a fully functional tissue each method is critically reviewed elucidating the pros and cons of each approach, and their implications and practicalities to translate into the clinic. Thus, demonstrating the true potential and viability for any approach to move into either the biomedical laboratory and/or the clinic. In coda, the presentation goes onto discussing some significant translational aspects, within the wider aim of regenerative medicine to which these approaches would be able to contribute. The presentation intends to provoke the reader to think practically and realistically about what it might take to develop a technology to reconstruct tissues for repair, replacement and rejuvenation of damaged and/or aging tissues within a clinical environment. |
10:45 | Coffee Break and Networking in the Exhibit Hall |
11:15 | Image-Guided, Laser-Based Fabrication of Hydrogel-Embedded Microfluidic Networks John Hundley Slater, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, United States of America
We demonstrate fabrication of three-dimensional, biomimetic microfluidic networks embedded in hydrogels by combining laser-based hydrogel degradation with image-guided laser control. Generation of high-density, capillary-like microfluidic networks that recapitulate the architecture of in vivo microvasculature as well as the ability to induce internetwork transport between two independent microfluidic systems is presented. Recapitulating in vivo-like transport using biomimetic microfluidic networks may prove advantageous in fabricating advanced in vitro tissue models. |
11:45 | The Role of Scaffold Architecture in Guiding Tissue Growth: From Modeling to Microfluidics José Manuel García-Aznar, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical and Biological Engineering Research group (M2BE), University of Zaragoza, Spain
Safe and effective regeneration of tissues require a high control of cellular response, which is dependent on multiple microenvironment cues, such as: extracellular matrix composition and architecture, cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction, interstitial fluid flow, growth factors, etc. In this work, we will investigate how scaffolds can regulate cell migration by means of the appropriate architecture. Actually, we present a combination of computational and in-vitro techniques to determine how scaffold architecture guide cell movement and consequently tissue growth. Multiscale computational modeling of tissue regeneration has predictive capabilities for the rational design of functional scaffolds that induce tissue growth and biomaterial degradation, regulating an adequate regeneration. Realistic, mechanistic models can provide a framework for understanding the fundamental mechano-chemical interactions between cells, material and fluid flow. Microfluidics is a powerful tool that allows in-vitro testing of 3D hydrogel-based scaffolds, due to their characteristics of recreating healing conditions, providing the possibility of co-culture different cell types. In fact, hydrogels are confined in chambers, which are connected with channels to control these microenvironmental conditions. In this work, we will present different computational approaches to analyze various regulatory mechanisms for guiding tissue growth, individual and collective cell migration. These advanced simulations will be complemented with the corresponding in-vitro experiments that will allow validating some of the conclusions provided by the numerical models. Therefore, different kinds of multiscale and multiphysics models are integrated in order to understand fundamental cellular processes that will help us to define the most adequate scaffold architecture for the successful guidance of tissue regeneration. |
12:15 | Networking Lunch in the Exhibit Hall -- Meet the Exhibitors and View Posters |
14:00 | | Keynote Presentation 3D Printing Manufacture of Medicines Clive Roberts, Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Head of School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, United States of America
The processes used to produce tablets, the dominant form of medicine taken by patients, have changed relatively little for over a century. Whilst these approaches serve the industry and patients very well they remain limited in some clinical areas and cannot create complex dosage forms or bespoke medications tailored for an individual or sub-population (ie personalised medicines). This would be valuable in meeting therapeutic challenges and the need for personalized medicines. 3D printing, offers a possible route to address these issues. I will show tablets produced using extrusion and ink-jet methods and amongst other examples, a 5-drug polypill and tablets with novel 3D architecture designed to control drug release. The potential and challenges for using 3DP in the manufacture of medicines and to provide new opportunities for clinical practice will be discussed as well as the considerable challenges that must be met to satisfy scale-up issues and regulatory requirements. I aim to show that 3D printing has already shown the capacity to meet some regulatory requirements and whilst many challenges remain this is a technology that could potentially benefit patients and radically alter the way we make and distribute some medicines. |
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14:45 | 3D Printing of Full-Thickness Vascularized Human Skin Grafts Pankaj Karande, Associate Professor, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), United States of America
Dermal microvasculature not only promotes graft survival by supplying the tissue with oxygen and nutrients, but is also known to modulate inflammation and immune cell migration to the wound site. Vascularization of skin grafts is critical for successful skin engraftment. Here, using a 3D bioprinting platform, we show successful integration of a vascularized bed in a 3D printed full-thickness human skin model. We show the influence of different cell populations (fibroblasts, endothelial cells and pericytes) in controlling the formation of vasculature in vitro, and the successful integration of vascularized grafts in vivo. |
15:15 | Coffee and Networking in Exhibition Hall |
16:00 | A Journey in Translation Martin Birchall, Professor, University College London, United Kingdom
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16:30 | Remote (Light, Magnetic, Ultrasound) Guided Delivery of Cells and Site and Time Specific Activation of Biologically Active Compounds Gleb Sukhorukov, Professor, University Of London, United Kingdom
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17:00 | Strategies for Hard and Soft Tissue Regeneration Paulo Jorge Bártolo, Chair of Advanced Manufacturing Processes & Director of the Manchester Biomanufacturing Centre, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
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17:30 | Close of Conference |