Revolutionising 3D Organ Printing: Fraunhofer Institute Report Success in Precisely Trapping & Manipulating Single Cells

Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Micro-engineering and Microsystems have announced their individual cell trapping technology at the recently concluded MEDICA 2024. The technique is touted to hold potential to change drug testing, skin transplants, and more, moving beyond traditional bioprinting.

Precision Bioprinting Using Microfluidic Channels and Custom Bio-Inks

The traditional processes of bioprinting produce cells that were sparse or spherically distributed. With the help of Fraunhofer’s approach, droplets nearly as small as a single cell are deposited. With this system, the heat bubble within the microfluidic setup drops its cells on demand. Individual types of cells flow down their own microfluidic channel and are dispensed in a manner such that maximum viability is achieved and the cells with direct contact is achieved between the cells.

In an interview, Dr. Christian Freese, who leads infection and cancer diagnostics at Fraunhofer IMM, says that the cell-type-specific bio-inks will be used with microfluidics in order to meet all of the stringent demands of a successful bioprinting process. This helps to control and sterilize the system in such a manner that high cell viability may be maintained. That’s a huge advancement for functional tissue printing.

Applications in Organ Culture and Transplant Solutions Expanding

Fraunhofer’s single-cell printing method holds significant promise for various  applications such as:

• Organ Culture and Testing: This single-cell printing technology, developed by Fraunhofer, ensures very precise structure creation of the organs. Organ-like models are developed with this technology and applied in drug testing; the animals can even be kept out of the process, too.
• Future Transplant Potential: Scientists will be investigating its utilization for skin grafts and later more complex, fully functional organs which will revolutionize the nature of organ donation and transplantation.
• Realistic Tissue Interactions: The cells are free to interact naturally, a condition of the human body in realistic environments for drug discovery and disease research.
• Long-term Therapeutic Goals: Microfluidics-based single-cell printing may be a key technology for the generation of complex tissue architectures and advanced therapeutic applications in real-world medicine.

The TrapJetPrinciple

For easy handling of cells in the microfluidic channels, Fraunhofer has come up with the “TrapJet” principle. Utilizing silicon wafers, researchers may trap cells as they go through ultra-fine channels into a grid where each trapped cell remains in place due to this technique. This approach offers good control over releasing cells. Cells can be put at several locations simultaneously, allowing for their reuse by reusing the traps. Thus, the principle of TrapJet brings into play one more efficiency critical for the construction of complex organ structures in which cell positioning is an essential factor.

Cell trap with nozzle: The structure of the cell trap is designed to isolate the individual cell from the rest of the cells in the fluid medium, so it is ready to be printed.

Collaboration for a High-Performance Center for Single-Cell Technologies

Fraunhofer IMM is working together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA in Mannheim to take into consideration the potential of single-cell and microfluidic technologies. The two will focus on a high-performance center focused on the advancement of applications in single-cell technology within the area of medical research. The center will combine Fraunhofer IMM’s microfluidics expertise with Fraunhofer IPA’s resources on clinical health technology, which may speed up breakthroughs in personalized medicine and diagnostics.

Next-Generation Bioprinting Pioneer Techniques

The work done in microfluidics and single-cell printing by Fraunhofer IMM is a massive step forward in organ and tissue printing. This method would not only overcome the limitations that exist at this point in time but also open new avenues to medical research and pharmaceutical testing. This advanced method can adequately redefine how we approach constructing complex tissues, a reality that may include the printing of organs in the near future.

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