Project objective
The project's vision is to develop a 3D bioprinter that can be used in creating patient-specific artificial skin. Patient-specific artificial tissue has massive potential for the cosmetic industry and pharmaceutical companies, and will benefit patients who need skin reconstruction.
This project will strengthen SDU's engagement with society in relation to welfare innovation, because:
1. The development of patient-specific artificial skin will permit the testing of medical and cosmetic products before they are provided to the patient/customer. The number of controversial animal experiments can therefore be reduced, which will also be a socio-economic benefit.
2. The development of patient-specific artificial skin will permit studies of skin disease at molecular level. This can lead to the development of new forms of treatment.
3. The development of patient-specific artificial skin will permit the treatment of patients who need skin reconstruction, e.g. burn patients. The use of patient-specific cells will ensure biocompatibility and thus increase the chanced of a successful result for the patient.
Project results
· To produce a prototype of a functional 3D bioprinter - ready for production.
· To produce functional artificial human skin.
The project has the potential to develop into a business. The sale of 30 bioprinters will benefit research - especially within tissue technology, but also within other fields of research.
The sale of patient-specific artificial tissue will be of interest to the cosmetics industry and pharmaceutical companies, but there is also potential value for patients who need skin reconstruction.
Contact
Work package leader: Jonathan Brewer, associate professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Advanced bioimaging group
Partners
Jens Ahm Sørensen, Professor, Department of Clinical Research
Morten Østergaard Andersen, associate professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology