Additive Manufacturing of Bone Scaffolds

Additive manufacturing has emerged as a promising technology in the tissue engineering field due to the ability to produce highly complex structures based on a wide range of materials. In the BMS group, we aim to produce biomaterial scaffolds intended for bone regenerative purposes based on 3D printing technology.

One of the main objectives of this project is to develop a material that can be additively manufactured and degrade in the body while being replaced by the patient’s own tissue.

We develop composite materials combining biocompatible and biodegradable polymers and ceramics together with different designs and geometries in order to investigate the effect on the final mechanical and biological outcome. We also develop complex structures which mimic the trabecular bone hierarchy using tomography images of human bone.

Composite scaffold mimicking trabecular bone structure, printed using composite in-house made filament, consisting of polymer matrix and ceramics (purple)

In collaboration with other divisions at Uppsala University, we customize designs to obtain gradient scaffolds or minimal surfaces similar to bone, which can further resemble bone hierarchy. We investigate the effect of pore size, pore geometry and total porosity on the osteogenic potential in collaboration with Uppsala University Hospital.

Our final aim is to combine material science, developing outstanding materials chemically and mechanically similar to bone, together with life sciences to assess their biocompatibility and, furthermore, their potential to stimulate bone formation.

Osteoblasts in a triangular pore of a composite printed scaffold

Contact:

Prof. Cecilia Persson (cecilia.persson@angstrom.uu.se)

Ana Grzeszczak (ana.grzeszczak@angstrom.uu.se)