BIOFABRICATION TECHNOLOGIES
Biofabrication refers to the process of creating three-dimensional (3D) living tissue structures using 3D printing techniques, also known as additive manufacturing. Within the Utrecht Biofabrication Facility, established in 2013, the Malda lab specifically concentrates on advancing and broadening the application of additive manufacturing technologies for biomedical purposes. Their primary emphasis lies in developing enhanced, biological constructs that possess a natural-like architecture and functionality. The lab utilizes various additive manufacturing techniques, including extrusion-based printing (extrusion-based bioprinting and fused deposition modeling), light-based printing (digital light processing and volumetric (bio)printing), electrohydrodynamic processing (solution electrospinning, melt electrospinning and melt electrowriting), and laser-induced forward transfer printing. The Malda lab has achieved the successful convergence of multiple of these technologies. This breakthrough has enabled the generation of composite structures that closely mimic nature and exhibit improved functional characteristics.
Materials and bioink design
In the field of biofabrication and tissue engineering, a major hurdle is the development of biocompatible materials that offer both mechanical and biochemical support to cells during the maturation of tissues. At the Malda lab, we focus on the advancement of novel biomaterials that, when combined with cells, can generate tissue structures resembling the native counterparts. These materials are typically utilized as biomaterial inks or incorporated into bioinks, which are then used in additive manufacturing processes.
Our lab explores various material categories to achieve this goal. These include hydrogels, which can be of natural or synthetic origin and possess the ability to undergo photo-crosslinking or chemical crosslinking. Additionally, we work with ceramics, thermoplastic polymers, and materials derived from decellularized extracellular matrix. By leveraging these diverse material options, we strive to create tissue constructs with enhanced properties and functionalities.
Novel development of biofabrication technologies
Convergence of Biofabrication Technologies
Within the field of biofabrication a multitude of technologies have been developed, all with their own specific benefits in terms of resolution, manufacturing time, and material-processability. While it is unlikely that any of these technologies, taken individually, would be able to replicate the complexity and functionality of living tissues, we converge different technologies to achieve improved functional tissue mimics. Moreover, we are investigating the integration of digital design and artificial intelligence-powered real-time monitoring tools with multi-technology bioprinting to allow for high-throughput biofabrication.
Machine Development and AI
Close collaboration with in-house engineers to further improve current existing technologies, but also to develop new systems with specific and high-end characteristics and freedom of design needed to fabricate personalized implants and in vitro testing systems with increasing complex geometry and related functions. Furthermore, we are applying AI technologies, including machine learning and deep learning to enhance and standardize the generation of functional tissue structures using living cells and intelligent biomaterials.