Trivandrum-based institute developes bio-ink for 3D printing

In a key advancement in the biomedical field, Thiruvananthapuram-based Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) has developed bio-ink for 3D printing, which is considered as the first of its type indigenous formulation in the country.

SCTIMST, which is an institution under the department of science and technology, officially launched the bio-ink under the brand name Scire Chitra GelMA - UVS Bioink on Wednesday.  The technology was transferred to Scire Science Pvt Ltd at KINFRA Hi-tech Park in Kochi.

According to principal researchers Anil Kumar P R and Shiny Velayudhan, the bio-ink will be an alternative disease model system for drug discovery, chemical testing and personalised drug development.

3D drug tissues created with bio-ink could enable more reliable laboratory experiments and thereby eliminate the need for animal testing. In the long run bio-ink could also make it possible to artificially develop functional organ structures using cells isolated from tissues. The 3D printed artificial organs can be even used in advanced regenerative therapies for organ replacement or to restore the function of damaged organs, they said.

A patent was obtained for the product under the title 'A hydrogel system for 3D printing'.