Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a groundbreaking 3D bioprinting technique called FRESH (Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels), enabling the creation of vascularized tissues entirely from collagen. Published in Science Advances, this advancement could revolutionize disease research and therapies, such as Type 1 diabetes, by producing biologically accurate tissue models.
Traditional tissue models, made from synthetic materials like silicone, fail to replicate the body’s natural biology. The Feinberg lab’s FRESH technique overcomes this limitation by printing collagen-based tissues with unprecedented precision, including functional fluidic channels resembling blood vessels.
In their latest study, the team created a pancreatic-like tissue capable of glucose-stimulated insulin release, outperforming current organoid-based methods. Key improvements in resolution allowed for structures as small as 100 microns, critical for mimicking vascular systems.
“Now, we can build microfluidic systems entirely out of collagen, with cells functioning better in these fully biologic models,” said Adam Feinberg, lead researcher and professor at Carnegie Mellon. Daniel Shiwarski, a co-author, highlighted the “single-step bioprinting process” that achieves unmatched fidelity.
The technology is being commercialized by FluidForm Bio, a CMU spinout, which has already cured Type 1 diabetes in animal trials. Human clinical trials are planned within years. Feinberg emphasized open-source collaboration to accelerate global adoption: “We see this as a base platform for building complex, vascularized tissues.”
This innovation marks a significant leap toward functional biologic tissues for therapy and research. By combining FRESH bioprinting with computational modeling, scientists aim to tailor tissues for specific diseases, paving the way for future medical breakthroughs.
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