In-situ fetoscopic 3D bioprinting for spina bifida treatment

Introduction

Currently available pre-birth surgical treatments for Spina Bifida Aperta (SBA) still do not provide a complete recovery in babies and would potentially benefit from a tissue engineering approach. Indeed, the first clinical trial using stem cells for SBA has recently started; however, this is performed via an open-uterus approach. This made me wonder, what if we can develop an innovative system to deliver via fetoscopy a bioprinted tissue engineering construct for SBA repair? Such an approach would promote tissue regeneration and ease the surgery.

Project Overview

In 3D.FETOPRINT, I will develop a system for the in-situ fetoscopic bioprinting of a gel composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) to close the defect of spina bifida aperta (SBA) in a large animal model.

Work Packages

The project will be divided into three work packages:

1. Development and Testing of the Gel
   The first work package will address the development and testing of the gel by studying the interaction between fetal ECM proteins and AFSCs to define a gel formulation that could be bioprinted in utero.

2. Design and Development of the Bioprinting Device
   The second work package will focus on the design and development of an innovative fetoscopic bioprinting device capable of bioprinting a gel patch on the fetus.

3. Validation of the Innovative Approach
   The last work package will finally validate the innovative approach. We will first validate through in-vitro testing using a laparoscopic simulator, then we will perform a sheep spina bifida aperta model where the innovative fetoscopic 3D bioprinting system will be validated.

Expertise and Impact

We will leverage my expertise in biomaterials, cells, and tissue engineering device design to carry out this project that will deliver a revolutionary system. This system will open up the possibility to bioprint tissue-engineered constructs on the fetus.