Biomolecules Can Now Be Released Into the Body With Help of 3D Printed Scaffolds
After the announcement of the newest 3D printed guide for nerve regeneration in Minnesota, the 3D printing technology makes a way for a new research that benefits the medical world. The same team of national researchers found a new solution for the precise release of the biomolecules through the body of the human being. The NIBIB or the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering funded the research in Minnesota. It was Michael McAlpine, a young associate professor and researcher, who developed the first ever 3D printed scaffolds.
The research was actually aimed to find an effective medical solution to help the nerve grow and regenerate after a severe damage or injury. The biomolecules are normally working in the tissue cells to regrow the nerve, but it is seldom find to be recreated on its own in the body. With the help of the 3D scaffolds, the gradients of biomolecules are then allowed to recreate within the body, thus promote the growth of the tissue.
The 3D printed scaffoldings are created in layers of gel, and they come in cylindrical shape. According to its developer, McAlpine, the 3D printing technology is versatile enough to make printing even on other shapes to be able to adapt to the scaffolds. The gel is also in a non-specific nature, which allows the scaffolds to be used in any part of the body where tissue or cell growth is needed. Because of the efficiency and versatility of this 3D printed scaffolding for biomolecules, it can be used by other medical practitioners to release specific medication to the targeted parts of the human body for the purpose of healing and cell regrowth.
The 3D printed scaffolding in the precise release of biomolecules in the body is demonstrated in a video. The video shows how it is done and completed. The first step is to create a 3D printing layer, and then the gel is printed with the biomolecules capsules. The tiny capsules of biomolecules are actually surrounded by the shell, which contains rods in tiny pieces that serve as the heater once it comes direct into the laser. When the appropriate laser color is used intentionally, the shell will burst efficiently into the body. This system or program allows the biomolecules to be released precisely in a specific part of the tissue or body at the right time on a certain degree of heat. With the 3d printed scaffold and the laser, the body will have its efficient and safest way to heal and recover from injury and from other conditions.
According to the program director for Tissue Engineering of the NIBIB, Rosemarie Hunziker, Ph. D., the breakthrough in the 3D printed scaffoldings for biomolecules may open new doors to innovative medical solutions for a wide range of injuries, cell repair, tissue regrowth, and other diseases. The gel used for this scaffold provides a whole new option for tissue growth, which is an important factor in solving many medical and physical problems. This project is just the beginning of new and needed medical solutions that can be used worldwide.