Revolutionary 3D Bioprinting Technology to Transform Drug Discovery

Newcastle University Scientists Develop Reactive Jet Impingement (ReJI) Bioprinting:

Scientists at Newcastle University have unveiled a groundbreaking 3D bioprinter that closely mimics human tissue, potentially revolutionizing drug discovery for major health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. The new technology, known as Reactive Jet Impingement (ReJI) bioprinting, represents a significant step forward in medical research and drug development.

A Game-Changing Innovation in Bioprinting:

Developed by a team of researchers led by Professor Kenny Dalgarno at Newcastle University’s School of Engineering, the ReJI bioprinting technology overcomes many limitations of existing bioprinters. The technique involves jetting two different liquids at each other—one containing a polymer solution and the other a cross-linking solution—to create lifelike human tissues.

This pioneering research received funding from Versus Arthritis, an organization committed to advancing treatments for arthritis and other chronic diseases. The funding was facilitated through the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Therapies Centre Versus Arthritis, and the innovation has already secured patents in both the United States and Europe.

A Breakthrough for Drug Development:

Lucy Donaldson, Director of Research at Versus Arthritis, emphasized the significant impact of this technology, stating, “The JetBio team is at the forefront of research, pushing forward new technologies that promise to improve both the quality and speed of drug development. These advances could bring new treatments to the public much faster, benefiting those suffering from conditions like arthritis, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.”

Far-Reaching Implications for Healthcare:

Professor Dalgarno highlighted the broader implications of this discovery, noting that drug development is an extremely costly and time-intensive process. “If we can make drug discovery more effective and affordable, it could democratize access to life-saving treatments,” he explained.

With only one in ten compounds tested in clinical trials making it to market, there is an urgent need for more accurate human tissue models for testing. The ReJI bioprinting technology offers a promising solution, improving the accuracy of drug response models and potentially increasing the success rates of new treatments.

Future Prospects:

As interest in developing better human in vitro models continues to grow, ReJI bioprinting could play a crucial role in transforming the pharmaceutical industry. By providing more reliable testing environments, this technology has the potential to accelerate the discovery of new medications, reduce costs, and improve accessibility to essential treatments worldwide.

With such promising advancements, the future of medicine may soon see faster, more effective drug development, bringing hope to millions of patients across the globe.