Section of 3D Tissues and Biofabrication
«With a background in biotechnology, material sciences and tissue engineering my main interest is developing novel tissue models for industrial applications focusing on substance testing. To do so, depending on the application we are choosing the appropriate technology ranging from simple microtissue models to complex bioprinted co-culture tissue models.»
The goal of our research activities is to culture human cells under physiological conditions. To do so, we employ different three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems. Depending on the application the cells are cultured in scaffold-free or in scaffold-based systems. We have expertise in bioprinting for many years and use the technology successfully in industry-driven projects. In our laboratory we successfully use the promising 3D bioprinting technology for many years. Bioprinting allows producing living tissues in a layer-by-layer mode by depositing cells, (extracellular) matrix and bioactive molecules precisely in 3D space. The 3D tissues are developed for drug and substance testing, as well as for personalized medicine.
Competences
Our developments are used in areas such as
- Bioprinting and bioink development
- Primary human cell cultures (healthy, cancer)
- Scaffold-free and scaffold-based 3D cell cultures
- Automated 3D cell cultures
- Development of fluidic cell culture systems
- Tissues of interest : muscle, tendon, liver, kidney, skin, osteosarcoma
- Applications : drug and substance testing, personalized medicine
Our research laboratories provide a modern infrastructure and methodological expertise.
We offer our project partners a wide range of cooperation opportunities. Customized solutions are provided in the frame of Bachelor’s and Master’s theses and directly or third party funded projects (Innosuisse, SNF, Foundations, EU projects).
The competence centre “Tissue Engineering for Drug Development, TEDD" was founded in 2010 by the members of the section “Tissue Engineering” and has succeeded in combining knowledge, technologies and partners from research and industry.
Publications
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Kopanska, Katarzyna S.; Rimann, Markus; Laternser, Sandra; Raghunath, Michael,
2019.
Advanced in vitro models analysis.
Alternatives to Animal Experimentation.
36(1),
pp. 144-147.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4998
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Nosswitz, Michael; Teale, Misha; Mathes, Stephanie; Venturato, Andrea; Gasser, Angelines;
2019.
Evaluation of anodized surfaces designed for improved soft tissue integration.
Foundation for Oral Rehabilitation.
Available from: https://www.for.org/en/learn/scientific-article/evaluation-anodized-surfaces-improved-soft-tissue-integration
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Randall, Matthew J.; Jüngel, Astrid; Rimann, Markus; Wuertz-Kozak, Karin,
2018.
Advances in the biofabrication of 3D skin in vitro : healthy and pathological models.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology.
6(154),
pp. 154.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4769
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Laternser, Sandra; Keller, Hansjoerg; Leupin, Olivier; Rausch, Martin; Graf-Hausner, Ursula; Rimann, Markus,
2018.
A novel microplate 3D bioprinting platform for the engineering of muscle and tendon tissues.
SLAS Technology: Translating Life Sciences Innovation.
23(6),
pp. 599-613.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3822
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Coentro, João Q.; Pugliese, Eugenia; Hanley, Geoffrey; Raghunath, Michael; Zeugolis, Dimitrios I.,
2018.
Current and upcoming therapies to modulate skin scarring and fibrosis.
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2018.08.009