VATIS UPDATE Article

A team of scientists from Sahlgrenska Academy, Sweden, and Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have managed to successfully implant human cartilage cells in six-week-old baby mice. The researchers created a gel composed of human cartilage cells, printed it through aCELLINK 3D bioprinter and implanted the material inside the lab mice.

Once implanted, the tissue began to grow and proliferate inside the animal, eventually vascularizing, with blood vessels growing inside the implanted material. After two months, the material began to more closely resemble human cartilage, which was further stimulated with the addition of stem cells.

The team worked with local plastic surgeons to implant the material, which could one day be used to create more natural implants for patients who have lost ears, noses or knees due to accidents or diseases like cancer. The process is still a ways from becoming a viable reality, but it’s a promising step in the process, which could someday extend beyond cartilage to other key human tissue.