Despite the high capacity of self-regenerating in the skeletal muscle, when a significant loss of tissue occurs, it results in severe loss of function. Therefore, in our group, we focus on the combination of biomaterials and microtechnologies to engineer functional skeletal muscle tissue.
This project is funded since 2018 and we are currently in the third funding period (2026-2029) by DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) as a TRR-SFB 225 consortium- subproject B03 entitled “Biofabrication of perfusable skeletal muscle tissue and cellular biomechanic analysis”. The project is in collaboration with Prof. Boccaccini from Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute of Biomaterials, Prof. Frank Döpper from the University of Bayreuth, Chair Manufacturing and Remanufacturing Technology and Prof. Ada Cavalcanti-Adam, Chair of Cellular Biomechanic.
In the first funding period (2018-2021), as subproject B03 entitled “Simultaneous printing and biofabrication of skeletal muscle tissue and bioreactor”, we developed composite inks which supported the formation of anisotropic tissue models like skeletal model. Simultaneous printing of the bioreactor and the 3D printed tissue model supported the fabrication of a patient-specific tissue model with a compatible design for potential clinical applications. The project was in collaboration with Prof. Boccaccini from Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute of Biomaterials, and Prof. Jan Hansmann from the University of applied sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt.
In the second funding period (2022-2025), as subproject B03 entitled “Printing of biofabricate and customized bioreactors for skeletal muscle tissue”, we developed composite inks containing bioactive fillers and electrically conductive ones which supported the formation of anisotropic tissue models like skeletal model. Additively manufactured bioreactor with multifunctionality was developed for dynamic culture and electrical stimualtion of the 3D printed tissue model. The project was in collaboration with Prof. Boccaccini from Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute of Biomaterials, and Prof. Frank Döpper from the University of Bayreuth.
In the published works out of this project, we showed the design and 3D printing of the bioreactors for the dynamic culture of the cell encapsulated 3D printed bioinks. Furthermore, gelatin-based bioink were tested for long-term culture of the skeletal muscle cells as well as angiogenesis after four weeks of culture in intravital microscopy in the AV-loop rat model. The gelatin-based hydrogel supported the formation of the first sprout of the vessels and their distribution within the 3D hydrogel in comparison with controls such as fibrin.
Further information can be found on the TRR-SFB 225 Biofabrication homepage
