Aston University Midlands Quantum X bioprinter - ANIMATOR

为了了解身体是如何工作的，有必要了解身体中的细胞是如何相互传递信号和相互作用的。传统上，这是通过在扁平的塑料培养皿中培养细胞来完成的。虽然通过这些方法我们已经了解了很多，但我们现在知道，细胞与体内存在的结构配置相同是很重要的。例如，在大脑中，神经细胞以三维方式相互连接，并且能够连接到它们上面、下面或周围任何地方的细胞。这对于理解大脑是如何工作的很重要。为了研究这样的过程，在三维空间中培养细胞是很重要的。这已经可以通过使用一种叫做水凝胶的支持细胞生长的凝胶来实现。然而，像水凝胶这样的物质会摇晃，这会破坏连接，或者细胞会移动到别处。一种解决方案是能够在三维固体表面上培养细胞。为了有效地做到这一点，研究人员需要能够将细胞放置在与其尺寸相似的非常小的区域中。这是困难的，而且不能用传统的方法来实现。最近开发的一种方法被称为2PP（双光子聚合）。这种方法使用激光将液体树脂变成固体材料。这意味着形状和结构可以在三维空间中“建造”，而激光的使用意味着几乎任何形状的设计都可以在很小的尺度上制造出来。因此，可以建造柱子或支架来容纳单个细胞。与之前的水凝胶（细胞随机出现）方法相比，2PP技术意味着科学家可以设计出能够将单个细胞固定在他们决定的位置上的结构。这意味着科学家可以控制实验并获得更多的信息。在阿斯顿，我们想买一台新设计的2PP打印机，叫做量子X生物。这台打印机有2PP激光，但也可以打印带有细胞的结构。这是目前用于细胞生物学的最先进的2PP打印形式，如果成功，阿斯顿大学的量子X生物将是英国的第一个。这将被阿斯顿大学的科学家用于许多项目，例如研究脑细胞如何相互传递信号，肝细胞如何运作，以及药物等分子如何穿过口腔和胃部的细胞进入人体。打印机也将与中部地区的科学家共享，如伯明翰、拉夫堡和诺丁汉。阿斯顿大学的研究人员已经是3D打印方面的专家，并在先进原型设施（APF）中为中部地区的许多行业进行设计。量子X生物设备将在APF专家的帮助下建立，以确保其效率，并能够在尽可能多的生物科学项目中使用。使用细胞的2PP打印技术是一项新技术，因此在阿斯顿大学拥有量子X生物将使米德兰大学的科学家和英国的其他科学家能够在了解人体如何工作的许多方面引领科学发现

To understand how the body works it is necessary to understand how cells in the body signal to each other and interact. Traditionally this has been done by growing cells in flat plastic culture dishes. Although much has been learnt using these methods, we now know that is important for cells to be in the same structural configuration as they exist in the body. For example in the brain, nerve cells connect to each other in 3 dimensions, and are able to connect to cells above, below or anywhere around them. This is important in order to understand how the brain works. To study processes like this, it is t important to grow cells in 3 dimensions. This can already be done by using types of gels called hydrogels that support cell growth. However, substances like hydrogels can wobble and this can damage connections or cells can move out of place. A solution would be to be able to grow cells on solid surfaces in 3 dimensions. To do this effectively would require researchers to be able to place cells in very small areas similar to their dimensions. This is difficult, and cannot be achieved using traditional approaches. A method that has recently been developed is called 2PP (two photon polymerisation). This method uses laser light to turn liquid resins into a solid material. This means that shapes and structures can be "built" in 3 dimensions, and the use of lasers means that almost any shape of design can be made on very small scales. It is therefore possible to build pillars or scaffolds that can hold a single cell. With previous methods such as hydrogels where cells appear randomly, the 2PP technology means that scientists can design structures that can hold individual cells in positions where they decide. This means that scientists can control experiments and gain much more information. At Aston we want to buy a newly designed 2PP printer called the Quantum X bio. This printer has a 2PP laser, but can also print structures with cells in them. This is currently the most advanced form of 2PP printing for cell biology, and if successful, this Quantum X bio at Aston University would be the first in the UK. This would be used by scientists at Aston University on many projects, for example to study how brain cells signal to each other, how liver cells function and how molecules like drugs get across cells in the mouth and stomach and into the body. The printer would also be shared with scientists around the Midlands such as Birmingham, Loughborough and Nottingham. Aston University researchers are already experts at 3D printing and make designs in the Advanced Prototype Facility (APF) for many industries in the Midlands. The Quantum X bio facility would be set up with the help of the APF experts to make sure that it is efficient and is able to be used in as many biological science projects as possible. 2PP printing technology with cells is a new technology, therefore having the Quantum X bio at Aston University would enable Midland's Scientists and others in the UK to lead the way with scientific discoveries in many aspects of understanding how the human body works