3D-printed grafts: shaping the future of bone and tissue regeneration
Additive manufacturing (as 3D printing is technically known) creates objects based on a digital model, building them layer by layer. In medicine, this technology is being used to make inert objects like implants and prosthetics, but it can also create living tissues that help the body repair itself.
This exciting new development, known as bioprinting, uses tiny structures (called scaffolds) embedded with the patient's own cells to guide the growth of new tissue. This makes the printed structure more compatible with the body, and reduces the risk of rejection. It also helps the new tissue to heal faster and work more effectively.
In the future, this technology might even be used to print full organs for transplant, helping solve the worldwide shortage of donor organs.
Healing large or complex bone defects is one of the toughest challenges in surgery. Whether caused by accidents, cancer surgery or birth conditions, these defects often do not heal well with traditional bone grafts. One big problem is that the body struggles to grow new blood vessels inside the graft, which is essential for proper healing.
Researchers in Europe are currently at the forefront of developing innovative, groundbreaking new technology to tackle this problem, with initiatives spread across the continent.
Researchers at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) have created 3D-printed scaffolds using polylactic acid and calcium phosphate that support bone growth and blood vessel formation. These have shown strong results in lab and animal tests, where scaffolds have encouraged stem cells to grow and release growth factors, successfully attracteing blood vessels into the healing area.
At the University of Bergen, the Tissue Engineering Group is working on two major projects that use a patient's own stem cells to print bone replacements. These personalised constructs are designed to fit perfectly, reduce the chances of rejection, and improve the patient's recovery.
The EU-funded Smart Bone Regeneration (SBR) project is developing smart implants for rapid bone restoration with medical-grade polymers. The design also incorporates sensors to monitor implant performance, providing real-time data on bone growth and potential complications. In vivo studies in large animal models are currently underway to validate this approach.
The Centre for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, in Dresden, is working on 3D-printed materials that support bone healing, with patients' own materials that help bone cells grow. They also combine bone cement with soft gels filled with living cells to create strong, custom implants. Their goal is to make bone implants that work well in the body, bringing these 3D-printed treatments closer to real use in hospitals, or even in outer space.
Another exciting example is from the company BellaSeno, who work in partnership with the Julius Wolff Institute at the Charité hospital in Berlin. They are creating 3D-printed bone scaffolds that can support and guide new bone growth. Their custom-made system uses a high-speed, precise printing process that meets international medical manufacturing standards (ISO 13485). These implants are currently being evaluated for clinical use, offering hope for patients with large bone defects.
Such collaborations between academic institutions and private companies are essential. They help speed up the process of turning research discoveries into real-life treatments available in hospitals. These partnerships also ensure that safety, quality, and effectiveness remain a priority in every stage of development.
Leer más:
The use of 3D printing in medicine is quickly moving from research labs to real clinical use. The European cases mentioned above show how this technology is already helping patients heal better and faster. They are also paving the way for a new era of personalised and regenerative medicine.
However, there are still some hurdles to clear. Printed implants need to stay strong and safe over time, so long-term studies and patient trials are essential. These help researchers understand how the materials perform in the body over the years. New medical tools must also meet strict safety rules, which takes time, but helps protect patients and build trust.
Progress will depend on close teamwork between scientists, doctors, engineers, and regulators. As research and trials move forward, 3D printing is likely to become a routine part of surgery. Personalised, cell-based implants could soon be a standard option for repairing bone and tissue, bringing us closer to a future where treatments are safer, faster, and made just for you.
Este artículo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos académicos.
Lee mas:
AI is transforming the search for new materials that can help create the technologies of the future
Exercise could help broken bones heal faster – here's how
Personalised medicine made in hospitals can revolutionise the way diseases are treated – the challenge now will be implementing it
Nieves Cubo Mateo currently works with funding from Nebrija University and the Spanish state research agency (AEI, Ayudas a Proyectos de Generación de conocimineto 2023, PID2023-146961OA-I00). She also directs the ARIES Research Centre at Nebrija University, and is part of the 3D Advance Planning and Manufacturing Unit at Gregorio Marañón Hospital (UPAM3D).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Turn the looming e-invoicing deadline into a strategic advantage
As part of a broader Digital Transformation Roadmap aimed at reducing paperwork, modernising the UK financial processes, and improving tax compliance, the UK government in May closed a consultation process on whether e-invoicing—currently mandatory only within the NHS—should become standard across all B2B transactions, enabling buyers and sellers to exchange data in a format that is also visible to tax authorities. While the effort to bring more structure and transparency into B2B processes is broadly welcomed by all parties, even the strongest proponents of e-invoicing acknowledge that widespread adoption before 2030 is unlikely. Nevertheless, this is clearly the direction the UK's B2B landscape is heading. Across Europe, e-invoicing has already been the norm since 2020—though its implementation has varied from country to country. This means that any brand operating across Europe is likely already well aware of the challenges involved in transitioning away from paper invoicing—an obstacle many UK organisations have yet to fully confront. The future is digital and integrated I engage with clients across both the EU and the UK and I've observed how organisations on both the buyer and seller sides are either adapting to—or preparing for—the implications of the EU Directive and the UK's recently announced plans. However, when discussing B2B processes, and e-invoicing in particular, it's crucial to understand the process begins much earlier than when the invoice is sent. It starts with onboarding buyers and ensuring full compliance with all relevant regulations. This includes the rules governing the country where your business is officially headquartered, as well as those in any countries where your customers are based. This is especially critical for cross-border transactions, even before considering electronic invoicing. Failing to properly identify the counterparty—known as KYC (Know Your Customer) or KYB (Know Your Buyer)—can result in serious penalties. Compliance is the key lens through which to view the push for e-invoicing. From the EU's perspective, the ultimate goal is to implement robust measures that both prevent fraud and increase transparency in trade. Currently, many sellers still issue paper invoices, which are untraceable and difficult to audit. This means that in most EU countries, there is no automated connection between sellers, buyers, and VAT authorities. As a result, sellers report the VAT they collect, and buyers report the VAT they pay and reclaim—but these records are rarely reconciled at a national level. This mismatch leads to discrepancies, with VAT paid out to buyers often exceeding the amounts declared by sellers. These gaps create opportunities for fraudsters, causing governments to lose an estimated €90 billion annually across the EU as a whole. To address this, the EU is mandating digital invoicing. This means that across all member states, new regulations will require real-time, digital communication between companies and tax authorities. However, it's important to emphasise there is no expectation for each country to implement these requirements in exactly the same way. This approach respects local sovereignty and business practices, but it also means that anyone trading with multiple EU countries must be able to tailor their invoicing to meet each country's specific requirements. As it stands, countries like Italy are already enforcing digital invoicing, requiring sellers to integrate directly with their tax (VAT) systems. Meanwhile, Germany is taking a less stringent approach. Similarly, the Netherlands and Poland are adopting different methods for implementing e-invoicing, with varying policies regarding formats like PDFs and other technical requirements. For buyers or sellers operating in Europe—and soon the UK—these differences don't matter much, as many countries have already announced they will implement digital invoicing in phases. However, since the directive is ultimately enforced on a country-by-country basis, the key takeaway is this: the era of manual, poorly integrated, or hard-to-process invoicing is coming to an end. That's simply the new reality. E-invoicing will boost business In many ways, this shift is a positive development. In some countries, the rules may seem too strict; in others, perhaps too lenient. But once full e-invoicing is implemented, the benefits are likely to extend across the board—from buyers and sellers to citizens and governments. After all, nobody truly benefits from fraud—not governments, legitimate sellers, or genuine buyers—and fraud undermines the integrity of the entire B2B trade ecosystem. Fully transparent digital invoicing will ultimately boost e-commerce and business overall. At its core, B2B trade is about trust: the trust a buyer places in a seller. That trust shapes decisions—whether based on price, quality, or other factors. Simply put, buyers choose sellers they trust. In other words, when a buyer knows exactly what the invoice will look like and how it will be delivered, it adds another layer of clarity. For B2B buyers, having a consistent, predictable invoicing format and a defined delivery channel significantly simplifies the process. This is the kind of level playing field worth striving for. But that doesn't mean the shift to e-invoicing is a simple task—far from it. It's not only sellers who are impacted; buyers now carry legal responsibilities too. In Germany, for instance, buyers are required to accept digital invoices—whether in PDF, email, or Excel format—as a minimum standard. If a buyer demands a paper invoice instead, it breaks the digital chain and puts both parties out of compliance. Not every buyer is ready for this transition—especially those still reliant on traditional paper-based processes. Even among larger, more automated organisations, many have already made significant investments in older technologies like EDI or ERP-based e-invoicing. For those organisations, there's a real risk of sunk costs, as existing systems may require substantial upgrades—or in some cases, those systems may be too outdated to handle the new requirements entirely. The reality is that both the EU and UK e-invoicing regulations are true game-changers for buyers and sellers alike. They require not only technical readiness but also changes to workflows and, more fundamentally, a shift in mindset about how business gets done. It's no surprise that some merchants and suppliers are pushing back. They're facing a significant increase in complexity and administrative burden—which, understandably, can feel overwhelming. Catalyst for digital transformation What happens next will depend on each company's specific circumstances—but in most cases, getting started will require some form of external guidance, particularly from tax or compliance experts. At a recent payments salon in London, one expert made a compelling point: companies should go beyond minimal compliance and consider aligning their e-invoicing strategy with digital payments. Doing so can not only future-proof them against further regulatory changes, but also unlock broader business benefits—such as improved cash flow control. As they put it: 'Yes, you can take a minimal approach to compliance with electronic invoicing, and doing so will bring some benefits, mainly through reducing manual processes. But we encourage companies to view this not just as a compliance task, but as an opportunity to solve broader pain points. When coupled with payments, electronic invoicing unlocks much more value—like helping you manage incoming and outgoing payments with greater efficiency.' They concluded the payoff is well worth the effort: 'Better control over your cash flow, deeper insight into who you're working with, and what kinds of payments are involved—that's where the real benefits of e-invoicing come through.' The shift to e-invoicing across both the EU and UK marks a significant period of change management. Adjustments will be required, and businesses will need to invest time and resources to adapt. But once the systems are in place and widely adopted, the new approach will greatly simplify operations—for both buyers and sellers—and ultimately enhance the entire B2B trade experience. Of course, organisations will need time, resources, expert guidance, and often external IT support to adapt. And by starting preparations now, there's a real opportunity to go beyond basic compliance. Who knows how many other B2B process improvements could be unlocked in parallel? E-invoicing might just be the springboard for broader digital transformation. Inez Berkhof-Hollander is EMEA Vice President for TreviPay "Turn the looming e-invoicing deadline into a strategic advantage" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
WIRED
3 hours ago
- WIRED
Scientists Just Caught Human Embryo Implantation on Camera
Aug 20, 2025 10:18 AM Scientists recorded in 3D and in real time the exact moment a human embryo implanted itself in an artificial uterus, opening new avenues for treating infertility. A microscopic image of a human embryo. Photograph:A team of researchers at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) in Spain has succeeded, for the first time, in recording in real time and in 3D the implantation of a human embryo. This achievement opens up the possibility of investigating in greater depth the causes of infertility and discovering new assisted reproduction treatments. Failure of embryo implantation in the uterus is one of the major barriers to pregnancy, and is associated with about 60 percent of miscarriages. This process, which occurs within days of a sperm fertilizing an egg, had, until recently, remained virtually invisible—implantation was only known from still images, and it wasn't possible to follow its development in real time. Typically, it's only possible to detect an embedded embryo several weeks after implantation, using ultrasound. 'We have observed that human embryos burrow into the uterus, exerting considerable force,' said Samuel Ojosnegros, lead author of the study, in a statement. 'These forces are necessary because the embryos must be able to invade the uterine tissue, becoming completely integrated with it. It is a surprisingly invasive process.' Studying the implantation of embryos into the uterine lining has always been approached from a genetic and biochemical perspective. This IBEC study emphasizes that implantation is a physical process too. Making an Artificial Uterus to See the Unseeable To capture the moment of implantation, the team developed a physical simulation of a uterus using an artificial collagen gel. This made it possible to observe—using fluorescence microscopy, a technique well-suited to imaging things at the cellular level—how the embryo interacts with the uterus in real time. 'The embryo opens a path through this structure and begins to form specialized tissues that connect to the mother's blood vessels in order to feed,' Ojosnegros said. Time-lapse video of a human embryo during the implantation process, showing how it 'sinks' into the womb. The simulation made it possible to appreciate how a human embryo does not merely adhere to the uterine lining, but actively inserts itself. 'We observe that the embryo pulls on the uterine matrix, moving and reorganizing it,' explained Amélie Godeau, coauthor of the research, which was published in Science Advances. These movements could explain the pain some women report days after fertilization. 'Although it's known that many women experience abdominal pain and light bleeding during implantation, the process itself has never been observed before,' Ojosnegros said. Different Species, Different Tactics The researchers also compared the implantation of human embryos and mouse embryos. They found that mouse embryos implant themselves by extending over the surface of the womb, whereas human embryos can firmly embed themselves in any direction, including down into the uterine lining. The comparison underscores that each species has developed its own tactics to achieve implantation. Time-lapse video of the implantation process of a mouse embryo (left) and a human embryo (right). Furthermore, when applying external mechanical stimuli to the embryos, the researchers observed that they both responded to these, but in different ways. Human embryos recruited myosin, a protein that contributes to the regulation of muscle contraction, and reoriented some of their protrusions, while mouse embryos adjusted the orientation of their body axis toward the source of the force. These findings demonstrate that embryos are not passive receptors, but rather actively perceive and respond to external mechanical signals received during implantation. Understanding the mechanical forces involved in implantation offers new opportunities for research: a particular avenue could be perfecting the selection and treatment of embryos in assisted-reproduction programs. Another obvious next step will be to explore the mechanical causes of infertility, in addition to those already known to be genetic. The human embryos used in this research were provided by Dexeus Mujer Barcelona, a women's health clinic that specializes in obstetrics, gynaecology, and reproductive medicine. 'Our work consisted of providing technical advice and rigorously selecting the human embryos donated for research, ensuring they met the ideal conditions for the project,' said Miquel Solé, director of the Dexeus Mujer Cryopreservation Laboratory. This story originally appeared on WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Record number of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks in Europe: health agency
Europe has registered a record number of outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses such as chikungunya and West Nile virus this year, the EU health agency said Wednesday, saying climate change was contributing to a "new normal". Europe is experiencing longer and more intense transmission seasons for mosquito-borne diseases, said the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). "This shift is driven by climatic and environmental factors such as rising temperatures, longer summer seasons, milder winters and changes in rainfall patterns -- conditions that combine to create a favourable environment for mosquitoes to thrive and transmit viruses," it said in a statement. Europe was entering a new phase where "longer, more widespread and more intense transmission of mosquito-borne diseases is becoming the new normal", said ECDC director Pamela Rendi-Wagner. The mosquito that can spread chikungunya virus, Aedes albopictus, is now established in 16 European countries and 369 regions, up from just 114 regions a decade ago, the ECDC said. Europe has seen 27 chikungunya outbreaks so far in 2025, a new record for the continent. For the first time, a locally acquired case was reported in France's Alsace region, "an exceptional occurrence at this latitude, highlighting the continued northward expansion of the transmission risk", the agency said. As of August 13, eight European countries had reported 335 locally acquired human cases of West Nile virus infection and 19 deaths, with Italy being the country most affected by far, with 274 infections. "As the mosquito-borne disease landscape evolves, more people in Europe will be at risk in the future," said Celine Gossner, Head of Section for food-, water-, and vector-borne and zoonotic diseases at ECDC. Prevention was more important than ever, both through coordinated public health action and personal protection measures, she said. The ECDC called for individuals in affected areas to protect themselves against mosquito bites using mosquito repellent, wearing long sleeves and trousers, and using window screens and bed nets. po/jll/jj
