This exhibit is a special bioreactor that is used to grow artificial blood vessels. A pulsating flow of nutrients is used to mature the blood vessels. In a first step, the artificial blood vessels are produced using a 4D bioprinter and then developed further in the bioreactor. For the vessels to mature properly, it is important to use the right pressure and the right nutrients.
In 4D bioprinting, a special method is used in which a mixture of collagen, human muscle cells and sugar molecules from brown algae are printed. The vessels in the bioreactor are then colonized with human cells. These artificial blood vessels could be used in heart surgery and transplants in the future.
Credits:
Tobias Torp, Jannek Grocholl, Dr. Julian Pfarr, Dr. Karina Zitta, Prof. Martin Albrecht, Dr. Micha Pfarr, Dr. PD Rouven Bern
