A 3-D Bioprinter that generates new skin to treat burns victims has won a $3500 prize for a team of University of Toronto Engineers.

The PrintAlive Bioprinter produces a multilayer hydrogel consisting of skin cells, a biopolymer and fibroblasts. A purpose made cartridge with tiny channels, is filled with the different cell types in their specialised environments. The components are layered separately onto another liquid which causes a gel to form as it leaves the printer. The extruded mixture can then be applied directly to burn wounds as a biodegradable wound dressing.

The traditional method of growing patient cells in the laboratory can take weeks, and isn’t particularly easy. Speed is of the essence when treating patients with severe burns, many of whom may not survive the long wait for treatment.

Since the hydrogel produced from the Bioprinter is derived from natural building materials that come fromthe patient’s own body, rejection and infection rates are likely to be very low. Although still a prototype, the potential to save lives is immense.

So far high success has been achieved in mice, and the team are now experimenting on large scale grafts in pigs. The researchers think it may take 2-3 years for the first Bioprinter to be used in human clinical trials.

Arianna McAllister and Lian Leng are now working on their pre-commercial phase large printer, and they are optimistic that the $3500 prize will contribute significantly to progress. If all goes well, they will also get an opportunity to compete internationally for a further $50,000.

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