3D Printing of Complex Engineered Tissues and their Clinical Applications
Speaker:
John Fisher, PhD
Professor & Department Chair
Fischell Department of Bioengineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland
Abstract:
The advancement of 3D and 4D printing is having a substantial impact on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. These technologies enable the precise assembly of various materials and cell types into constructs that closely mimic the complexity of native tissues—a feat unattainable by traditional fabrication methods. Beyond the technical aspects of these innovations, various clinical applications will be discussed. A focal point of the presentation will be the development of a 3D-printed nipple-areola complex (NAC) for mastectomy patients. This project combines non-degradable materials to maintain the NAC’s shape and mechanical integrity with degradable biomaterials that support the growth of connective tissue and blood vessels within the implant. This sophisticated approach aims to provide breast cancer survivors with a more natural and enduring reconstructive option. Another example is the creation of hybrid biomaterials designed for vascular remodeling. These materials, composed of extracellular matrix proteins and polymer components, are engineered for use in the surgical reconstruction of major blood vessels, offering promising advancements in vascular surgery. The presentation will also cover the application of machine learning in guiding bioprinting processes. By automating 3D bioprinting and developing machine-intelligent algorithms, this research aims to enhance the precision and clinical translatability of personalized medicine technologies.
Dr. Fisher earned a B.S. in Biomedical and Chemical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, and a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Rice University (2003). He subsequently pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in cartilage biology and engineering at the University of California, Davis, before joining the University of Maryland. Dr. Fisher is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, the Biomedical Engineering Society (2016), and the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering. He and his work have been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the Engalitcheff Award from the Arthritis Foundation, and the Senior Scientist Award from the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society – Americas (TERMIS-AM) Chapter, among others. Additionally, he currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Tissue Engineering.