Innovative 3D bioprinting technology for tissue engineering
Bioprinting represents a promising solution that would enable the production of functional tissues and organs for transplantation and is one of the key technologies identified in the EU’s action plan to reduce donor dependency.
Bioprinting also offers promising prospects for urethral tissue engineering through the precise production of customised tissue constructs with controlled cell composition, architecture, and mechanical properties.
In addition, bioprinting could minimise the dependence on autologous tissue, mitigate donor site complications and address the mechanical and biological differences between constructs and natural tissue.
Combining innovative 3D printing tools
At the heart of STRONG-UR’s approach lies the combination of existing innovative bioprinting technologies with a deep understanding of how the urethra functions and what happens when it becomes damaged.
To ensure the best possible results, the project follows an iterative process, meaning each bioprinted construct is carefully tested, evaluated, and improved based on insights from both researchers and clinicians.
This step-by-step refinement brings the technology closer to real-world medical applications, offering new possibilities for treating urethral conditions.
A handheld device bringing 3D bioprinting to surgery
Imagine a surgeon holding a small, pen-like device that can print living cells directly onto damaged tissue, helping the body heal itself. This is the vision behind the BioPen®, a revolutionary handheld 3D bioprinter that enables precise, real-time tissue repair. It has been developed by one of the STRONG-UR’s partners, AdBioInk.
In the STRONG-UR project, the BioPen® is being customised for the treatment of diseases of the urethra. The device can apply a specially tailored bio-ink directly into the affected area to support rapid tissue regeneration and prevent recurrence. Unlike traditional 3D bioprinters, the BioPen® doesn’t require bulky equipment, computers, or complex software, it’s a portable, easy-to-use tool designed for real-world clinical applications.
By integrating the BioPen® into STRONG-UR’s approach, researchers and clinicians can explore new possibilities for minimally invasive, highly targeted treatments that could transform regenerative medicine.
A customisable platform for urethral tissue repair
A bioprinter that adapts to different tissue needs, allowing scientists to build complex structures with precision? That’s the vision behind STRONG-UR’s modular bioprinting platform! It is designed to create urethral tissue that meets both medical and research requirements. Built on Brinter AM Technologies’ expertise, this system combines customisable hardware and intelligent software to adapt to different situations.
The platform features two key modules:
- Multilamellar bioprinting module: Enables layer-by-layer deposition of multiple bioinks, replicating the urethra’s natural structure. An automated nozzle-changing system ensures precise material control.
- Extrusion module for tubular structures: Integrates the bioprinted tissue into a tube, providing essential support and structural integrity.
A dedicated software system synchronises printing parameters, ensuring high accuracy throughout the process. This modular approach makes STRONG-UR’s platform a promising tool for advancing biofabrication in medical research and treatment.
Smart bioinks
Creating functional tissue with 3D bioprinting requires more than just the devices, it starts with the right materials. In STRONG-UR, bioinks are carefully designed by combining living cells with a specially formulated gelatine-based hydrogel that provides both structure and support.
At the heart of this approach is STRONG-UR’s partner 4Tissue’s innovative CuraDUO platform, which ensures the hydrogel meets key requirements for bioprinting, including printability, mechanical strength, and controlled degradation. Rigorously tested for safety, these hydrogels are non-toxic and optimised for tissue reconstruction.
How will all these techniques be applied in preclinical studies?
Our researchers will test two different surgical procedures to implement STRONG-UR bioprinting solutions: a single stage “fast-track” approach and a multistage approach.
The single stage “fast-track” approach to urethral fistula repair uses bioprinting to accelerate healing. Tested on rabbits, it involves the usage of the BioPen together with STRONG-UR’s bioinks directly onto the affected urethra. This method provides a less invasive, faster alternative to traditional surgery by promoting natural tissue regeneration.
On the other hand, the multistage approach focuses on repairing large urethral defects using bioprinted tissue grafts. A customised implant is produced in situ using bioinks that are specifically tailored to match the structural and mechanical properties of the tissue. Within this multistage procedure, we are testing two types of repairs: one aiming at partial urethral reconstruction (onlay), and the other at total reconstruction (tubular). Both multistage procedures will use Brinter’s technology for the fabrication of the grafts.
STRONG-UR's pathway to impact
STRONG-UR's pathway to impact
STRONG-UR brings together experts from research, medicine, and industry to develop bioprinted urethral tissue that meets clinical standards.
Using advanced biocompatible materials and innovative bioprinting techniques, the project aims to create durable and functional tissue constructs.
By improving biofabrication methods and preclinical testing, STRONG-UR seeks to scale up production to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards and pave the way for new treatments for urethral diseases.
To achieve its ambitious goals, a pathway to impact has been established with four main objectives:
- To get a detailed description of the structure-function relationship in urethra
- To develop a modular bioprinting platform capable of accommodating tissue-specific requirements, including cellular composition and mechanical properties
- To obtain an advanced in vitro model of urethra for biomedical research purposes
- To implement preclinical bioprinting strategies compliant with regulatory frameworks
Going beyond urethral tissue formation, the scalability and reproducibility of STRONG-UR bioprinting processes could contribute to cost efficiency and standardisation, making it a promising strategy for the further development of tissue engineering of tubular organs, not only limited to male urethra.
