T&R Biofab Receives Patent for 3D Bioprinting Artificial Skin Technology

T&R Biofab has received a patent for 3D bioprinting technology for artificial skin.

Tissue cross-section image of an artificial skin model. T&R Biofab

According to T&R Biofab on Nov. 11, the patent, titled "Artificial Skin Model Including Dermal Papillae and Rete Ridges and Method of Manufacturing the Same," was secured based on research conducted under a national project funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, "Development of a Compact Bioprinting System and Composite Tissue Fabrication Technology."

The technology uses decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM)-based bioink and precision 3D bioprinting. dECM is a collagen-containing material obtained by decellularizing porcine dermal tissue, and serves as a scaffold that helps cells attach and grow. The bioink is made by mixing dECM with fibroblasts, which produce and maintain the dermal matrix, in a gel-like hydrogel. It is then precisely printed using a 3D bioprinter to form the basic structure of the artificial skin. Next, fine skin ridges (trench-like grooves) are created, and cells that form the epidermal layer are placed inside the grooves and cultured to reproduce a ridge structure similar to that of actual skin.

A T&R Biofab representative said, "This patent is significant because it secures a manufacturing technology for an artificial skin model resembling actual skin by combining the dECM biomaterials, precision 3D bioprinting, and cell-culture capabilities we have developed. We will continue to improve the technical maturity of our artificial skin model and expand opportunities for joint development and commercialization in cosmetics and pharmaceutical research and efficacy evaluation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.