New Delhi, Nov 18Th (India Science Wire.) Bio-printing is a technique for tissue replication that supports and nurtures living cell. This technique could be used as an alternative to organ transplantation. It uses biomaterials and bio-inks to create artificial living tissues.
An indigenous state-of-the-art 3D Bio-Printer ‘Mito Plus’ launched by Indian Tech Startup Avay Biosciences has been found to be helpful in printing human tissues. At the Bengaluru Tech Summit which took place between 16 and 18 November 2022, Mito Plus was unveiled. The prototype of Mito Plus, which was built at Bangalore’s Indian Institute of Science (IISc), was installed by NIRF Rankings.
Mito Plus is a 3D printer that uses inputs from the prototype developed at IISc’s research laboratory of Dr Bikramjit Bazu. The advanced version was created by Avay who is also an IIT Madras alumnus. It is one the most advanced 3D bioprinters in India. Avay Biosciences is a fully indigenous software and hardware developer for Bio 3D printing solutions.
Manish Amin, Chief Executive Officer, Avay Biosciences, said, “MITO plus is an advanced bio-printer at its price range which can be used to print a wide range of biomaterials. This printer features an integrated UV curing, HEPA filter, as well as temperature control. The print-head can be cooled to 4°C and heated up to 80°C. MITO plus can be used for pharmaceutical drug discovery and drug testing applications, it can also be used in cancer biology and cosmetology applications.”
The bio-printer works in a similar way to other 3D printers. However, instead of delivering metal, plastic or powders, they deposit layers of biomaterials. This may include living cells. Bio-printers can then build complex structures such as skin tissue and liver tissue. The science and technology of 3D bioprinting are a gift to humanity. But there are still many problems to solve. ‘’There is still a long way to go before we can create fully functioning and viable organs for human transplant,” Amin explained.
“We are working on having our printers develop skin – the most common type of layered tissue that could help victims of severe burns. These tissues can also be used for toxicology screens and other testing mechanisms,” said Suhridh Sundaram, Chief Operating Officer, Avay Biosciences.
Bio-printing usually uses various polymers to try to recreate the extracellular mat (ECM) of the particular cell. It is crucial that bio-printers are affordable in order to develop artificial organs. Future research relies on these infrastructures. If animal cells can be used, bioprinting could also be used to create artificial meat.
Apart from premier Research and Development institutions such as IIT Madras and IISc Bangalore, the tech startup’s customers and collaborators include the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai; National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education And Research (NIPER), Hyderabad; and BITS Pilani (Goa Campus). (India Science Wire).