Throughout the world of 3D bioprinting, essentially the most thrilling developments to stay up for contain 3D printing of important human physique elements. Nonetheless, for us hair loss victims, 3D bioprinted hair is of disproportionate curiosity.
Notice that there are numerous 3D printing applied sciences with completely different functions. These embody: 3D printing of scaffolds to help in 3D culturing of hair and dermal papilla cells; laser-assisted bio-printing of hair follicles (that will then be transplanted); and 3D printing of hair methods. The primary of those is our fundamental focus.
December 21, 2022
New Research on 3D Bioprinting of Hair Follicles
I’m updating this publish on account of a number of new research on 3D bioprinting of hair follicles.
- A brand new December 2022 paper from China concludes {that a} new bead-jet enabled printing of mesenchymal stem cell laden Matrigel beads leads to hair follicle regeneration. Matrigel (just like extracellular matrix) was chosen because the biomaterial for this analysis. In contrast with typical 3D in-situ printing methods, bead-jet printing is specialised for stem cell remedy, with improved retention charges. The brand new know-how would possibly discover a numerous vary of makes use of in medical functions for regenerative medication.
- A November 2022 paper from China discusses an fascinating mechanical engineering strategy of “in situ” bioprinting. The scientists printed bioinks instantly into faulty websites so as to promote tissue restore. Epidermal stem cells (Epi-SCs), skin-derived precursors (SKPs), and Matrigel have been “printed” into the injuries of nude mice to advertise hair follicle regeneration. The outcomes confirmed profitable regeneration of hair follicles and different pores and skin appendages at 4 weeks after in situ bioprinting. Furthermore, the bioprinting solely barely decreased stem cell viability. These findings assist a mechanical engineering technique for hair follicle regeneration.
- A June 2022 examine from Japan proposes an strategy for the scalable and automatic preparation of extremely hair-inductive grafts utilizing a bioprinter. Mesenchymal–epithelial interactions resulted in environment friendly hair follicle regeneration in mice. Nonetheless, the brand new hair shafts remained largely beneath the pores and skin. The scientists then developed a novel technique to allow the hair to sprout upwards by way of the pores and skin. Notice that the lead creator of this examine is Junji Fukuda, who I’ve lined many instances on this weblog.
- A examine from China that was revealed in September 2021 discusses a brand new strategy in three-dimensional bioprinting for the tissue engineering of hair follicle reconstruction. This technique entails a 3D bioprinting method primarily based on a gelatin/alginate hydrogel to assemble a multilayer composite scaffold. The tip outcomes is an acceptable 3D microenvironment for dermal papilla cells to induce new hair follicle formation. Replace: A March 2022 abstract could be learn on ScienceDirect.
- A June 2021 abstract from China is a should learn. It’s titled “3D bioprinting for pores and skin tissue engineering: Present standing and views.” It covers intimately the most recent standing of the principle 3D bioprinting applied sciences (droplet-based, laser-assisted, extrusion-based and stereolithography). It then covers intimately pores and skin bioprinting, hair bioprinting an sweat gland bioprinting.
- One other way more detailed examine from China that was revealed in Could 2021 is titled: “Utilizing bioprinting and spheroid tradition to create a pores and skin mannequin with sweat glands and hair follicles.” The researchers managed to concurrently induce sweat gland and hair follicle regeneration. Furthermore, they found a symbiotic relationship between sweat gland scaffolds and hair follicle spheroids.
Additionally ensure to learn my previous tissue engineering of hair follicles publish masking work from Dr. Angela Christiano’s group at Columbia College. Additionally it is summarized within the under 2019 video:
Poietis, L’Oréal, BASF and Dr. Atala
Probably the most thrilling work on this space of 3D printed hair (and pores and skin) includes the partnership between Poietis, L’Oréal and BASF. Even after years of studying about 3D bioprinting and watching many movies on the topic, it nonetheless looks like science fiction to me. Nonetheless, that is undoubtedly not fiction, and the fundamental know-how has already existed and been utilized in folks for over a decade.
Dr. Anthony Atala (a pioneer who I’ve talked about a number of instances on this weblog) has two extraordinarily in style TED Discuss movies on this topic from 2010 and 2011. On the time, Dr. Atala’s work was additionally properly lined on this article. Extra not too long ago, Dr. Atala has been working with NASA to print synthetic organs in house.
3D Printed Hair and Hair Programs
Whereas we’re most all for mobile degree 3D hair follicle bioprinting and transplantation, there additionally exist different makes use of of 3D printers that contain hair. Strategies that make use of artificial supplies an don’t entail any form of difficult scaffolds and culturing.
MIT Media Group’s Cillia: 3D Printed Hair
The primary of those was not broadly lined, however because it includes researchers from MIT, I give it priority. These scientists are a part of the MIT Tangible Media Group, led by Dr. Hiroshi Ishii, and their mission known as Cillia. Notice that they don’t focus on the human scalp in any way, and they’re utilizing bitmap know-how to print this hair relatively than any form of precise cells.
The futurism web site has a far more detailed article on the topic, though I laughed after I learn this quote:
“Whereas there are a variety of potential aesthetic functions, custom-made paint brushes or sturdy adhesive surfaces is perhaps on the prime of individuals’s lists on what 3D printed hair might be used for.”
I might guess the precise reverse. The aesthetic functions can be way more vital from a industrial perspective. Or perhaps I’m simply underestimating the marketplace for paint brushes and adhesive surfaces?
Be sure that to additionally see the work from Carnegie Mellon College for creating lifelike hair fibers utilizing a fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer.
CRLAB (Cesare Ragazzi): 3D Printed CNC Hair System
Hair methods and prosthesis will not be precisely what me bear in mind after we focus on 3D printed hair. Nonetheless, Italian firm CRLAB (beforehand Cesare Ragazzi) has acquired large publicity lately for its CNC 3D printed hair and scalp prosthesis methods.
You may watch is a Lab Tour video of the corporate to be taught extra. Their work was even lined on 3dprint.com in 2016. The corporate’s know-how is basically an try at making a significantly better wig/hairpiece/hair system/toupee than something that’s in existence right now. With far cheaper and frequent upkeep necessities. Plus a superior individualized match (scalp mapping). The know-how is predicated on CNC methods which can be being offered all over the world by Cesare Ragazzi.
