Melt electrowrite system for biofabrication of complex engineered tissues

我们的工程师和科学家组成的跨学科团队处于生物材料和组织工程研究的前沿，有望为药物发现提供活体组织替代和先进的实验室模型。然而，只有当工程组织复制它们寻求取代的天然组织的结构、组成和机械复杂性时，这一承诺才能实现。为此，生物打印方法和设备的最新进展正在使复杂仿生组织的制造成为现实。然而，我们目前还没有制造复杂组织所需的最先进的生物打印机。这减缓了我们的进步，扼杀了我们的发现和发明的翻译，限制了它们的影响和价值。在本提案中，我们要求一个多功能生物打印机来解决这一迫切需求。该系统将支持多种打印模式，包括单独的熔体电解（MEW）或与3D水凝胶生物打印相结合。MEW在多伦多的任何生物打印机上都不可用，并且所要求的打印机的完全集成能力将在加拿大是独一无二的。该系统将使我们能够设计具有仿生机械性能的复杂多细胞、多材料功能组织，初步应用于心脏瓣膜、椎间盘、血管、心肌和气道组织工程。数十名学员将接受有关该设备的专业技术培训，获得生物打印、生物材料科学、机械测试、组织工程和相关应用方面的跨学科专业知识，为加拿大快速发展的行业（包括生物技术、医疗设备和再生医学）做出贡献做好准备。

Our interdisciplinary team of engineers and scientists is at the forefront of of biomaterials and tissue engineering research that promises to deliver living tissue replacements and advanced lab models for drug discovery. However, this promise can only be realized if engineered tissues replicate the structural, compositional, and mechanical complexity of their native counterparts they seek to replace. To this end, recent advances in bioprinting methods and devices are making fabrication of complex biomimetic tissues a reality. However, we currently do not have access to the the state-of-the-art bioprinters we need to create complex tissues. This has slowed our progress and stifles translation of our discoveries and inventions, limiting their impact and value. In this proposal, we request a versatile bioprinter to address this urgent need. This system will enable multiple print modes, including melt electrowriting (MEW) alone or in combination with 3D hydrogel bioprinting. MEW is not available on any bioprinter in Toronto, and the fully integrated capabilities of the requested printer will be unique in Canada. This system will enable us to engineer complex multicellular, multimaterial functional tissues with biomimetic mechanical properties, with initial applications in heart valve, intervertebral disc, blood vessel, heart muscle, and airway tissue engineering. Dozens of trainees will receive expert technical training on this equipment, gaining interdisciplinary expertise in bioprinting, biomaterial science, mechanical testing, tissue engineering, and related applications that will prepare them to contribute to rapidly growing industries in Canada, including biotechnology, medical devices, and regenerative medicine.