3D-Printed mini-Bone-Organs

Bone is a complex and highly vascularized organ that has a hierarchical organization over different length scales. Bone is composed of numerous cylindrical Haversian structures, namely osteons. Within each osteon, many dendritic bone cells reside in a well-defined microarchitecture to regulate bone gain and loss throughout life. Recent advances in tissue engineering have enabled three-dimensional (3D) construction of bone-like constructs using 3D bioprinting, but so far, there has been only limited success in engineering a fully functional bone tissue with a bone-like microarchitecture.

Bone is a complex and highly vascularized organ that has a hierarchical organization over different length scales. Bone is composed of numerous cylindrical Haversian structures, namely osteons. Within each osteon, many dendritic bone cells reside in a well-defined microarchitecture to regulate bone gain and loss throughout life. Recent advances in tissue engineering have enabled three-dimensional (3D) construction of bone-like constructs using 3D bioprinting, but so far, there has been only limited success in engineering a fully functional bone tissue with a bone-like microarchitecture.

The goal of this project is to build 3D-printed miniature bone organs in vitro that recreate the structural and functional features presented in the native bone tissues. Specifically, state-of-the-art high-resolution 3D-printing technique will be combined with advanced hydrogel systems to create biophysical cues in defined 3D environments. Advanced confocal imaging techniques and functional analysis will be applied to study the cell behaviors within the 3D-printed niche. These microengineered bone models hold the promise to replace the expensive animal in vivo models for modeling human diseases and screening drug candidates in the laboratory. The student will receive cross-disciplinary training in the fields of biomaterials, 3D laser microprinting, and cellular tissue engineering.

The goal of this project is to build 3D-printed miniature bone organs in vitro that recreate the structural and functional features presented in the native bone tissues. Specifically, state-of-the-art high-resolution 3D-printing technique will be combined with advanced hydrogel systems to create biophysical cues in defined 3D environments. Advanced confocal imaging techniques and functional analysis will be applied to study the cell behaviors within the 3D-printed niche. These microengineered bone models hold the promise to replace the expensive animal in vivo models for modeling human diseases and screening drug candidates in the laboratory.

The student will receive cross-disciplinary training in the fields of biomaterials, 3D laser microprinting, and cellular tissue engineering.

Christian Gehre, PhD candidate (christian.gehre@hest.ethz.ch); and Dr. Xiao-Hua Qin (qinx@ethz.ch), Senior Scientist & Team Lead, Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zürich For application, please provide your CV, Transcripts of B.Sc. and M.Sc., contacts of 2 references.

Christian Gehre, PhD candidate (christian.gehre@hest.ethz.ch); and Dr. Xiao-Hua Qin (qinx@ethz.ch), Senior Scientist & Team Lead, Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zürich

For application, please provide your CV, Transcripts of B.Sc. and M.Sc., contacts of 2 references.