New printing technique uses cells to recreate biological structures

These structures are embedded in an ink which is similar to their native environment and opens the possibility to make them behave as they would in the body.

It allows the researchers to observe how cells work within these environments and potentially enables them to study biological scenarios such as where cancer grows or how immune cells interact with other cells, which could lead to the development of new drugs.

The technique, developed by researchers at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) in the UK combines molecular self-assembly, building structures by assembling molecules like Lego pieces, with additive manufacturing, similar to 3D printing, to recreate the complex structures.

The structures can be manufactured under digital control and with molecular precision which also enables the researchers to create constructs that mimic body parts or tissues for tissue engineering or regenerative medicine.

"The technique opens the possibility to design and create biological scenarios like complex and specific cell environments, which can be used in different fields.