Next Generation Bioprinting (NGB) plaform has been developed to overcome current tissue manufacturing methods which are the bottleneck impeding standardisation, scale-up and large-scale market adoption of Tissue-Engineering products. It solves critical limitations of existing 3D bioprinting technologies thanks to single-cell resolution and learning-based methods.
Indeed, largely inspired by the principles of the 4.0 Industry, this new platform integrates automation and robotics technologies, coupled with numerous online sensors – including cell microscopy – and Artificial Intelligence processing. In addition, it integrates all bioprinting techniques (laser-assisted bioprinting, bioextrusion, micro-valve bioprinting), a world’s first in the bioprinting market.
NGB platform is based on four single-cell resolution technologies : Computer-Assisted Design, Automated, robotic bioprinting, In-line monitoring and Tissue formation modeling.
1. Computer-Assisted Design
NGB platform integrates a specific « cytocentric », user-friendly CAD software. This software can be used to design the location and local environment of different cell types and materials in three-dimensional tissue structures.
CAD files describe the architecture of biological tissues with the 3D organization of tissue components (cells and extracellular matrix).
2. Automated, robotic bioprinting
NGB platform integrates a multimodal, easy-to-use bioprinter based on laser-assisted bioprinting capable of 3D-printing tissue components in sterile conditions, with great accuracy and reliability thanks to 6-axis robotic arm and automation. This bioprinter is now the 4th printer version from the beginning of the project in 2005 and the only fully mutlimodal on the market.
Learn more about Laser-Assisted Bioprinting
3. In-line monitoring
Bioprinting technologies have been combined with a specific imaging system coupled with IA machine learning algorithms to confirm that is designed is what is bioprinted.
4. Tissue formation modeling
Data generated at all steps of the process are used to model tissue formation. A dedicated software is now under development to program tissue self-organization, which means to anticipate the evolution of the bioprinted construct with time.
Where 3D becomes 4D
We are developing a 4D bioprinting approach which consists in programming tissue self-organization by designing tissue constituent organizations (cells and extracellular matrix) that evolve in a controlled way until specific biological functions emerge. Thus, by analyzing tissue evolution during maturation, we are able to optimize the initial tissue architecture defined by CAD in order to improve the functionality of the printed tissues and guarantee that they are manufactured in the most reliable way.
Why single-cell resolution matters?
Because it is the only way to guarantee the reproducibility and reliability of bioprinted tissues.
Conventional bioprinting technologies cannot be used to reliably control the deposition of cells because they are deposited randomly. This means that the reproducibility and reliability of bioprinted tissues cannot be guaranteed. This would represent an unacceptable hurdle, not only for industrial production but also in terms of regulatory requirements for future clinical applications.
Poietis provides the solution with the first single-cell bioprinting platform that allows the design and manufacture of biological tissues by controlling both the resolution (the ability to print cell by cell) and the accuracy of printing (the ability to precisely position the cell in a 3D environment).