By employing the technique to print conductive electronic circuits within a live creature, researchers have made a significant advancement in the field of 3D bioprinting. Scientists from Lancaster University in the UK created square and star-shaped structures inside the bodies of the roundworm C. Elegans using laser-based 3D printing. This new approach has the potential to revolutionize brain implants, thus offering the promise of one-day enabling electronics to be built alongside living tissue. Explore the significance of this breakthrough and its potential applications in the field of medicine.
3D Bioprinting
3D bioprinting is an emerging technology that allows the creation of living tissues and organs using a specialized printer. It requires the layer-by-layer deposition of live cells and biomaterials to produce three-dimensional constructs that imitate the functionality of real tissues and organs. This technology has the potential to transform regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and personalized healthcare.
Implanting Electronics into Living Worms Using 3D Bioprinting
The researchers from Lancaster University employed a high-resolution Nanoscribe 3D printer that uses an infrared laser and custom ink that contains the conducting polymer polypyrrole. A polymer scaffold with circuits was initially manufactured, and the scaffold was then set on top of a slice of mouse brain tissue. They then applied a current to the flexible electrical circuit, which caused the mouse brain cells to react as was predicted.
To ensure non-toxicity, the ink was then encapsulated in microorganisms that the worms were given. The bacteria were placed beneath the Nanoscribe printer after they had consumed themselves. The team was able to create square- and star-shaped structures within the worms’ skins and guts.
Potential Applications in Brain Implants
One of the most significant potential applications of this breakthrough is in the field of brain implants. The ability to print electronics into living tissue opens new possibilities for creating brain implants that are more compatible with the human body. Currently, brain implants are made from non-biodegradable materials, such as silicon, that can cause inflammation and rejection.
By printing conductive electronic circuits inside living tissue, researchers can create brain implants that are more biocompatible and less likely to cause inflammation or rejection. This could lead to the development of new treatments for neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.
Conclusion
The ability to print conductive electronic circuits inside living tissue is a significant breakthrough in the field of 3D bioprinting. While this technology is still in its early stages, it has the potential to revolutionize the field of medicine, particularly in the development of brain implants that are more biocompatible with the human body. We do look forward to seeing how this technology will evolve and revolutionize healthcare in the coming years.
