How does it work

3D printed medical devices are too expensive for institutions. The cost of an average industrial bioprinter can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. Therefore, Cardiff University staff developed a budget version of the device, which consists of parts from a children’s designer. The total cost of the sets was just $624.. The most expensive part of the assembly was the clever LEGO Mindstorms module and lab pump.

• The main working material is biogel containing dissolved human skin cells.
• Layer by layer, the printer’s head creates a three-dimensional model of skin texture in a Petri dish.
• Currently, the printer can work with a limited number of materials.
• In the future, the scientists plan to add several nozzles with different nozzle diameters, as well as increase the compatibility of the gels.
• This will make it possible to recreate human skin as accurately as possible for medical experiments.

Bioprinter prints volume / Photo Cardiff University

Obtaining material for research is a complex procedure. It is mostly provided by donors or extracted from post-operative remains. The scientists hope that the development will not only provide access to create raw materials for experiments, but will also make it possible to mix healthy cells with pathogenic ones. This will make it possible to study in detail various skin diseases and create methods of combating them.

Demonstration of the bioprinter: video