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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/M506849/1
Title: Automation of 3D cell model assembly by additive printing
Principal Investigator: Wildman, Professor R
Other Investigators:
Tuck, Professor CJ Rose, Professor FRA Yang, Dr J
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Faculty of Engineering
Organisation: University of Nottingham
Scheme: Technology Programme
Starts: 30 September 2014 Ends: 29 December 2015 Value (£): 107,459
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Design & Testing Technology Tissue engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
This project shall test the feasibility of automating the manufacture of advanced cell-based analysis platforms by additive

printing of platform components. The analytical platforms shall be 3D cell cultures which enhance the function of resident

cells. Additive printing shall deposit biocompatible materials consistently and efficiently in 3D architectures within multiwell

culture plates compatible with medium-throughput analysis. 3D-printed structures designed to mimic tissue architecture

shall be populated with stem cell-derived populations with tissue-specific functionality selected to match the printed

architecture; the feasibility of printing cells directly into these structures shall be studied. For demonstration purposes, the

potential of automated additive printing shall be evaluated using hepatocytes derived from iPS progenitor cells and

deposited in liver-relevant 3D patterns, with model functionality being compared against competing systems and animal

models based on drug-metabolising enzyme levels. The outcome shall be a pre-industrial demonstration of the potential to

apply additive printing in the assembly of 3D cell-based assays used in drug discovery and other industrial processes. This

demonstration will create a springboard for further research and development aimed at automation of advanced cell-based

model assembly to industrial quality standards.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Summary
Date Materialised
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Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk