Rats walk again after breakthrough spinal cord repair with 3D printing University of Minnesota researchers developed a 3D-printed scaffold that directs stem cells to grow into functioning nerve cells, successfully restoring movement in rats with severed spinal cords. This promising technique could transform future treatment for spinal cord injuries. The study was recently published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. In their study, the researchers transplanted these scaffolds into rats with spinal cords that were completely severed. The cells successfully differentiated into neurons and extended their nerve fibers in both directions -- rostral (toward the head) and caudal (toward the tail) -- to form new connections with the host's existing nerve circuits. The new nerve cells integrated seamlessly into the host spinal cord tissue over time, leading to significant functional recovery in the rats. Source in comments.

A breakthrough with 3D-printed scaffolds offers hope for spinal cord injury recovery. The research team combined 3D printing, stem cell biology, and lab-grown tissues in the recent study. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gAiVHh7h University of Minnesota Department of Mechanical Engineering // University of Minnesota Medical School // The National Institutes of Health

I am thrilled to share that our latest research was featured by UMN and published in Advanced Healthcare Materials! 😊 In this work, we 3D-printed spinal cord scaffolds and transplanted them into rats with spinal cord injuries, causing loss of movement, finding that the scaffolds significantly improved their functional recovery. This achievement was made possible through amazing collaboration with students, researchers, and advisors from both mechanical engineering and the medical school. Through this project, I learned how mechanical engineering, spanning manufacturing, design, and mechanics, can address complex medical challenges through interdisciplinary teamwork. I am grateful to contribute to advancing solutions for spinal cord injury. Check out the UMN news story and our paper! The link to the paper is included in the article.

Rats walk again after breakthrough spinal cord repair with 3D printing | University of Minnesota Scientists have pioneered a new way to help repair spinal cord injuries by combining 3D printing, stem cell technology, and lab-grown tissues. Summary: University of Minnesota researchers developed a 3D-printed scaffold that directs stem cells to grow into functioning nerve cells, successfully restoring movement in rats with severed spinal cords. This promising technique could transform future treatment for spinal cord injuries. https://lnkd.in/d4JNEFgt

Journal Club Today at our journal club, we discussed another impressive paper: “Imaging-guided deep tissue in vivo sound printing” published by the group of Wei Gao (Davoodi et al., Science, May 2025). The study introduces Deep-tissue In vivo Sound Printing (DISP) — the first ultrasound-guided, noninvasive bioprinting platform. Unlike conventional 3D bioprinting, which requires surgical implantation or is limited by light penetration, DISP enables real-time, image-guided fabrication of hydrogels directly inside living tissue. How it works: •         Special bioinks (US-inks) contain polymers, gas vesicles (for ultrasound imaging), and liposomes carrying crosslinkers. •         Focused ultrasound (FUS) locally heats the ink, releasing crosslinkers → rapid, precise hydrogel formation. •         The system allows printing through centimeters of tissue with ~150 μm resolution. Key results we discussed: •         Printing of functional hydrogels: conductive (bioelectronics), drug-loaded (localized chemotherapy), cell-laden (tissue repair), and adhesive (wound sealing). •         In vivo proof-of-concept: successful printing near bladder tumors in mice and inside rabbit muscle tissue. •         Excellent biocompatibility and minimal inflammation. We reflected on how DISP could transform minimally invasive medicine — from personalized drug delivery depots to on-demand adhesives and tissue engineering scaffolds. Please find the paper here: https://lnkd.in/eYjZjuhJ

Scientists are making big strides in repairing spinal cord injuries. By combining 3D printing, stem cells, and lab-grown tissues, they created a scaffold that helps stem cells grow into real nerve cells. In animal studies, this approach restored movement in rats with severed spinal cords. It’s still early, but the hope is clear. one day this could help humans recover from paralysis. A powerful reminder of how science and technology together can rewrite what’s possible. #SpinalCordInjury #StemCellResearch #3DPrinting #MedicalInnovation #RegenerativeMedicine

Researchers at UMC Utrecht and Utrecht University, backed by the ERC, have developed an AI-based 3D bioprinting system aimed at advancing the engineering of implantable tissues. #Biotech #3DPrinting #Innovation https://lnkd.in/eThHZqb4

🚀 Our new article is out in Sensors & Actuators A: Physical! The power of collaboration across disciplines! What we developed: A 3D-printed microfluidic nozzle (just 5 × 1.5 mm²) fabricated with high-precision µSL 3D printing. It connects to fused silica capillaries, and the separation cut-off can be tuned simply by swapping inlets. Why it’s different: The device uses viscoelastic flow focusing — elastic forces in the fluid naturally align and separate particles. This means no sheath fluids, pumps, or optics are needed, making it simpler and more affordable than traditional flow cytometry, while still delivering precise size-based separation. On top of that, unlike syringe filters that trap larger particles, our dual outlet design recovers both fractions: one enriched in larger target cells, the other carrying smaller particles or contaminants. Nothing is wasted, and both streams can be analyzed. ✅ Validated with beads, bacteria–algae mixes, and stem cells spiked with bacteria. On towards a more affordable way to inspect and sort microbial cells! Thanks to first author Murat Serhatlioglu for pulling this project! Other coauthors: Babak Rezaei Adam Stovicek Sonja Pikkupeura Stephan Sylvest Keller Arnaud Dechesne Anders Kristensen 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dF9C2uvM Thanks to Novo Nordisk Foundation for funding this project (COMiCult) under the Interdisciplinary Synergy Programme #Microfluidics #3DPrinting #µSL #ViscoelasticFlow #Diagnostics #Innovation

A new process that combines 3D printing, stem cells and lab-grown tissues could prove a groundbreaking innovation for spinal cord injury recovery, a new study says.