Bioprinting technology combined with artificial intelligence makes it possible to obtain high quality in vitro models
(Nanowerk News) In the field of organoid production, bioprinting technology not only streamlines the creation and maintenance of complex 3D biological forms and structures, but also enables standardization and quality control throughout the process. When combined with artificial intelligence, which can assess product potential during manufacturing, a more consistent source of functional cells for organoids can be achieved.
In essence, the fusion of bioprinting and artificial intelligence is envisioned to enable real-time diagnostics of organoids, ultimately resulting in uniform, high-quality in vitro models.
Professor Hyungseok Lee from the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at National Kangwon University shares his insights on the future of organoid manufacturing in Cyborg Systems and Bionics (“In vitro Engineering Model: Organoid Bioprinting with Artificial Intelligence”).
Organoids, which have the ability to organize and self-assemble, offer wide research and application potential. As well as simulating the development of human organs in a way that animal models cannot, organoids can also replicate human pathology for research purposes. In addition, the ease of customizing cell sources allows organoids to serve as personalized proxies for clinical patients, helping to predict the most effective therapeutic agents.
However, standardization of organoid production remains a challenge due to the variation of researchers, culture conditions and the cellular environment. Although organoids enable disease modeling, they cannot consistently display the properties required for new drug screening, especially during quantification. Maintaining a constant balance of nutrients, growth factors, and metabolites during organoid growth is another technical hurdle, potentially leading to differences with the intended target tissues.
Bioprinting, particularly extrusion bioprinting, enables the production of standardized organoids with complex cellular compositions and structures while minimizing human intervention and ensuring quality control. In addition, bioprinting technology can facilitate manufacturing process automation. High resolution is critical for organoid bioprinting, paving the way for the development of vascularized organoids with perfused tissues that overcome the limitations of passive substance transport.
Artificial intelligence, which is currently gaining recognition for its ability to monitor and regulate the quality of the final product, can be integrated into bioprinting processes to create organoids. By monitoring the status of printed cells and structures in real time, AI provides feedback for accurate printing, ensuring high resolution. This innovative approach to organ manufacturing holds promise for modeling complex diseases and conducting trials of new drug combinations.
