Bioengineered advancement may have implications for more natural-looking reconstructive surgery outcomes, according to international research team<\/p>\n
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. \u2014 Fat tissue holds the key to 3D printing layered living skin and potentially hair follicles, according to researchers who recently harnessed fat cells and supporting structures from clinically procured human tissue to precisely correct injuries in rats. The advancement could have implications for reconstructive facial surgery and even hair growth treatments for humans. <\/p>\n
The team\u2019s findings published today (March 1) in Bioactive Materials. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted the team a patent in February for the bioprinting technology it developed and used in this study. <\/p>\n
\u201cReconstructive surgery to correct trauma to the face or head from injury or disease is usually imperfect, resulting in scarring or permanent hair loss,\u201d said Ibrahim T. Ozbolat, professor of engineering science and mechanics, of biomedical engineering and of neurosurgery at Penn State, who led the international collaboration that conducted the work. \u201cWith this work, we demonstrate bioprinted, full thickness skin with the potential to grow hair in rats. That\u2019s a step closer to being able to achieve more natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing head and face reconstruction in humans.\u201d<\/p>\n