Reduces Animal Testing with 3D Bioprinting Techniques - Bioprinting in 3D diminishes the count of animal tests
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is at the forefront of a global movement towards alternative methods in biomedical research, particularly in the realm of 3D bioprinting. This innovative technology is set to significantly reduce the reliance on animal testing, offering ethical and scientific advantages over traditional methods.
The 3R principle, which aims to Reduce, Replace, or Refine animal testing, is a guiding principle in KIT's research. Ute Schepers from the KIT Institute of Functional Interfaces stated that new technical possibilities have enabled a substantial reduction in the number of mice used in experiments.
One of the key areas of research at KIT is the production of small artificial heart valves, which could potentially be used in babies. Additionally, the printing of patient-specific cell tissues could offer a preselection of promising individual therapy forms.
3D bioprinting allows for the rapid printing of tissue structures with cells. This technology is being utilised to test specific active ingredients and new treatment methods, such as for cancer therapy. In fact, another area of research is the investigation of diseases like cancer in the lab using bioprinting technology.
Research is also being conducted on the production of specific tissues such as bone, cartilage, skin, or other organs using bioprinting. An example of this is Biotinte, a product produced from patient-specific stem cells, which could offer tailored solutions for cornea deformation and potentially replace cornea donations.
However, it's important to note that the products and approaches for bioprinting are still in an early stage of development, according to the Federal Ministry of Health. Nevertheless, there is strong momentum in the biotech ecosystem, fostering innovation, translation to clinical applications, and cross-disciplinary collaborations that KIT is well positioned to contribute to.
Regulatory bodies like the FDA and NIH are actively promoting non-animal testing strategies, including 3D bioprinted tissues, organoids, and AI models, accelerating the adoption and future integration of these technologies. Projects such as Cilcare's INEAR3D use stereolithography DLP bioprinting of human cells to create multilayer tissue models for drug permeability studies and formulation testing, offering viable alternatives to animal models.
In summary, 3D bioprinting at KIT and globally is advancing as a transformative approach that ethically reduces reliance on animal tests while enabling more human-relevant biomedical research and drug development in line with emerging regulatory frameworks. This shift towards alternative methods promises a future where scientific discovery and innovation are guided by ethical considerations, ultimately benefiting both research and the broader community.
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Community aid is essential to support the advancement of research institutions like the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), whose work in 3D bioprinting promises a future of ethical and human-relevant biomedical research.
Health-and-wellness programmes could greatly benefit from the incorporation of technology such as 3D bioprinting, which is being utilized to investigate medical-conditions like cancer and develop treatments with potential to revolutionize health care.
