3D-printed, stem cell-loaded hydrogels create personalized craniofacial bone grafts

Researchers have demonstrated how 3D-printed hydrogels loaded with stem cells can produce superior craniofacial bone grafts that are tailored to an individuals bone structure. Researchers from Texas A&M University (TX, USA) have brought together the fields of 3D printing, biomaterial engineering and stem cell biology to develop a novel technique to produce personalized craniofacial bone grafts. "Materials used for craniofacial bone implants are either biologically inactive and extremely hard, like titanium, or biologically active and too soft, like biopolymers,” explained co-author Roland Kaunas (Texas A&M University). "In our study, we have developed a synthetic polymer that is both bioactive and...