NEW DELHI: Researchers at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NITR) have made a significant breakthrough in bone regeneration by developing a unique bioink that is biocompatible for human bone regeneration.
This innovative bioink is designed to address the challenges with bone grafting and implants, which are commonly used to treat bone defects caused by injury or disease. Made from natural materials, the bioink is easy to use for the 3D bioprinting of bone-like structures.
One of the key advantages of this bioink is that it can be printed directly onto injuries, providing a simpler alternative to traditional bone grafts and implants. The technology has also been granted a patent.
Traditional bone grafting involves using bone from another part of the body or a donor to replace the damaged bone, but this method has several drawbacks, including pain, limited availability, and the risk of rejection. Metal implants, such as titanium plates, are another option for repairing damaged bones; however, these do not always bond well with natural bone and can lead to complications over time.
“Both methods often require surgery and, in some cases, multiple procedures for proper healing,” said Prof. Devendra Verma, Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering at NITR, who developed the technology alongside researchers Tanmay Bharadwaj and Shreya Chrungoo.
Meanwhile, there are existing bioink technologies which can also repair damaged bones, they tend to be slow and complex. These bioinks require a lengthy preparation period under laboratory conditions before they can be implanted, and the printed tissue must be maintained in a controlled environment for the cells to grow and form functional bone before use.
To overcome the challenges posed by existing technologies, the NITR researchers simplified the process, making treatment more efficient. They developed a bioink that remains liquid at room temperature but quickly transforms into a gel when exposed to body temperature and variations in pH levels.
"This allows it to be printed directly onto an injury, meaning the material is applied at the injury site instead of being printed separately and implanted later," explained Verma. “The adaptability of the bioink makes it suitable for treating irregularly shaped bone defects, providing a personalized approach to bone regeneration,” he added.
The findings of their research have been published in journals including the Journal of Biomaterials Science and Carbohydrate Polymers.
"Research and clinical trials will help determine its effectiveness in real-world applications, paving the way for its use in orthopedic and reconstructive surgery," he added.
Researchers also noted that the new bioink technology can be utilised in research to study bone tissue engineering and to test new therapies in laboratory and preclinical settings.
The team plans to test the developed bioink in appropriate animal models and develop a scalable production process in a Good Manufacturing Practices facility for future clinical trials. To facilitate commercialization, the researchers have also established a startup, Quixotix Bioprinting Pvt. Ltd.