Biofabrication in translational regenerative medicine

Our research develops biofabrication technologies and regenerative models to create lifelike tissue implants and advanced disease models. By inducing natural structures and functions, we aim to revolutionize treatment options for musculoskeletal injuries and deepen our understanding of tissue health. 

Our research focuses on using 3D biofabrication technology alongside living cells to engineer functional tissues for transplantation and to develop miniature models that simulate health and disease conditions. A key aim is to apply these biofabrication methods to regenerate musculoskeletal tissues, particularly cartilage and bone. However, the outcomes of the lab have been the foundation for a number of firmly integrated research lines within Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, including those focusing on the regeneration of renal, cardiac, hepatic and pancreatic tissues. Our innovative approaches in combining printing technologies and reinforcing living 3D tissue structures have gained widespread adoption in the field.

The lab comprises a multidisciplinary team of scientists, from biologists to biomedical engineers, chemists and physicists from Utrecht University and from the University Medical Center Utrecht. The team, in collaboration with the Levato lab, contributes to and manages the Utrecht Biofabrication facility.

Biofabrication technologies

Biofabrication refers to the process of creating three-dimensional (3D) living tissue structures using 3D printing techniques, also known as additive manufacturing. Within the Utrecht Biofabrication Facility, established in 2013, we specifically concentrate on advancing and broadening the application of additive manufacturing technologies for biomedical purposes. Their primary emphasis lies in developing enhanced, biological constructs that possess a natural-like architecture and functionality. The lab utilizes various additive manufacturing techniques, including extrusion-based printing (extrusion-based bioprinting and fused deposition modeling), light-based printing (digital light processing and volumetric (bio)printing), electrohydrodynamic processing (solution electrospinning, melt electrospinning and melt electrowriting), and laser-induced forward transfer printing. Our lab has achieved the successful convergence of multiple of these technologies. This breakthrough has enabled the generation of composite structures that closely mimic nature and exhibit improved functional characteristics. 

Regeneration of orthopaedic tissues

Regenerative medicine has its roots in the field of tissue engineering in the late 80s and early 90s came with revolutionary concepts to culture larger pieces of living tissue based on the combination of (cultured) cells, biomaterials and bioactive cues. However, the proper functionality of any mammalian tissue is tightly linked to its anisotropic spatial organisation. Therefore, our lab integrates regenerative biology and regenerative engineering to advance biofabrication-based regenerative approaches. The resulting tissues can be used as a future implant or as an advanced in vitro model of healthy or pathological condition. 

Learning from nature

In order to understand the structural role of the osteochondral unit, i.e., the articular cartilage and the underlying bone, we are investigating the build-up of these tissues in different mammals ranging from mice to whales and elephants. Our group has built a “Cartilage tissue biobank” with tissues of over one hundred different species collected, underscoring the specific loading-related differences between aquatic and terrestrial mammals. 

Translational models

The overall aim of our lab is to translate biofabrication-based and clinically relevant implants and models towards applications. The team adopts advanced in vitro, as well as ex vivo models, including systems in which simulated loading can be applied to further mimic the native situation in a healthy or pathological environment. 

Contact for internships

Prof. dr. ir. Jos Malda: J.Malda@umcutrecht.nl

People

Name 

Position 

Contact/Linkedin 

Jos Malda 

Full Professor 

LinkedIn 

Mylene de Ruijter 

Assistant Professor 

LinkedIn 

Ayline Kara Ozenler 

Postdoctoral Researcher 

LinkedIn 

Paulina Nunez Bernal 

Postdoctoral Researcher 

LinkedIn 

Ardalan Mansouri 

Postdoctoral Researcher 

LinkedIn 

Mohammad Jouy Bar 

Postdoctoral Researcher 

 

James Luis Martin Robinson 

Postdoctoral Researcher 

 

Alasdair Irvine 

PhD-student 

LinkedIn 

Alba Pueyo Moliner 

PhD-student 

LinkedIn 

Antonia Vasilopulou 

PhD-student 

LinkedIn 

Ary Marsee 

PhD-student 

LinkedIn 

Davide Ribezzi 

PhD-student 

LinkedIn 

Gabriel Grossbacher 

PhD-student 

 

Gerardo Cedillo-Servin 

PhD-student 

LinkedIn 

Lennard Spauwen 

PhD-student 

LinkedIn 

Lisanne Dechant 

PhD-student 

 

Marc Falandt 

PhD-student 

LinkedIn 

Marlena Ksiezarczyk 

PhD-student 

LinkedIn 

Meng Wang 

PhD-student 

LinkedIn 

Michal Galek-Aldridge 

PhD-student 

 

Nuria Gines Rodriguez 

PhD-student 

LinkedIn 

Sammy Florczak 

PhD-student 

LinkedIn 

Mattie van Rijen 

Research technician 

LinkedIn 

Anneloes Mensinga 

Research technician 

LinkedIn 

Eva Stronkman 

Research technician 

LinkedIn 

Bram Nijhoff 

Research technician 

LinkedIn 

Inge Dokter 

Research technician 

LinkedIn 

Adriana Camargo de Carvalho 

Research support 

LinkedIn 

Brenda Roosendaal 

Research support 

LinkedIn 

Joost van Duijn 

Research support (ICAT) 

LinkedIn 

Maaike Braham 

(ICAT) 

 

Mees de Graaf 

Biofabrication Specialist (ICAT)